Well we're almost to the end peeps, if you like it let me know. And let me know if you like the character of Commander Grace Jimenez, if you do, I'll write more stuff with her in it! (She's my alter ego if you hadn't already guessed) So read on and enjoy! ~ Talani
Part 13
It took several days to sort out all of what the Ouwhan'hadeo had to tell, how they had once been explorers long ago but finally returned to their home world. In many cases they simply abandoned their space craft where they were at when the decision was made, meaning to collect them in time. Their life spans were staggering in human terms, even Vulcan ones, an individual could live up to 600 Earth years alone! It was easy to see how they could forget about an occasional ship here and there.
The healer, who they called 'Salha' for convenience sake, was the first of the three to improve her speech clearly. The leader they called 'Vashar', and the smaller male 'Hala'. He was still contrite about his unintentional knocking out of the Captain, apologizing every time he saw him, until Vashar offered to black him out for Archer if that would appease his guilty conscious. Salha was working with T'Pol to see if some of the techniques taught to cublin might help her devise a barrier from their stray 'reaches'. It seemed it was instinctive on their part to reach out to another's mind for minor information on mood, temperament, etc.
"She has not had much training to strengthen her mental blocks. Her people never had to deal with strong psionic abilities before."
Hoshi had learned of the other abilities while attempting to learn part of the Ouwhan'hadeo's spoken language. Apparently they had different levels to it, using the high mode when they first met the away team, but low-mode utilized only a single note. When she had asked for a definition on one particular word, she'd been surprised to learn it meant 'moving an object with one's mind without permission'.
The full impact of these beings abilities was phenomenal. True telepathy as well as psychokinesis, but the most stunning disclosure was their power to teleport. The portal they used on the ship was utilized only because they felt it would be less of a shock to any observers in the flight arena. Commander Jimenez had been delighted when she had been informed of the areas real purpose, smugly commenting that she had thought that's what it was for. Flight was an integral part of the Ouwhan'hadeos lives, to lose ones ability to fly was to lose ones soul.
Salha had been happy to demonstrate this ability to them, leaping from one of the ramps out into the air of the arena. As she swooped by, Ensign Sato had breathed, "She's beautiful.", softly.
"Capteen", Vashar still had some problem forming his mouth around the correct pronunciation of certain words, "We must leave yur company soon, our people have decided to return our ship back to our own wurld."
"I'll hate to see you go, it's been a real pleasure meeting you all."
Salha stepped forward just then, "If you ever have cause for our assistance Captain Archer, use this."
She dropped in his hand a piece of jewelry, a large clear lavender stone in a bronzed setting designed as a broach. He studied it a moment before thanking her.
"Let's hope we never require it for more than just a friendly get together."
As one, the Ouwhan'hadeo crossed their forearms over their chests, hands fisted and bowed their heads.
*Until we meet again then Captain, may your journeys fare well and the wind arises from behind you, lifting you on high*
"Thank you Vashar, may you also have a safe journey."
A light stirring of air in the room was followed by the immediate departure of his new acquaintances, they vanished in a wink leaving only the memory of their presence.
The comm chirped, Jimenez's voice announcing, "The Ouhwan'hadeo ship has vanished sir." She didn't sound surprised.
"Thank you Commander."
"Sir?"
"What Jimenez?"
"Salha did give you a parting gift, didn't she?"
"How'd you know that Grace?"
"Uhm, well sir, I mentioned that it might be a good idea to leave us something to contact them with in case we come across any more of their abandoned vessels."
"Jimenez."
"Yes sir?"
"Remind me to never doubt my superiors again, will you?"
There was a brief pause before she replied, a laugh lurking in her voice. "Certainly sir, by the way Hoshi just got a transmission from Starfleet command. Did you want to take it there?"
"Tell her, go ahead."
"Aye sir."
He sat down and leaned back, reflecting on the extraordinary meeting with the gentle and peaceful beings, wondering when the next time they would meet. His thoughts were interrupted by his private screen activating, Admiral Forrest's smiling face appeared.
"Well Jon, everything going all right for you with Commander Jimenez?"
Sitting forward, he smiled in return, "Admiral, have I got a report for you!"
Part 14
CONCLUSION
Commander Tucker ended up having to pound on the door to Jimenez's room with his fist in order to be heard over the music blaring from her quarters, he wondered if her hearing was damaged from listening to it so loud. The lyrics sounded something like, "Don't think twice before you listen to your heart, Follow the trace for a new start, What you need and everything you'll feel, Is just a question of the deal, In the eye of storm you'll see a lonely dove, The experience of survival is the key, To the gravity of love" *
The music died and the door suddenly opened and Grace smiled at him, "Hey Trip, come to say goodbye?"
"What the Hell were you listening to?"
Blushing, she said simply, "Enigma's 'The screen behind the mirror'."
"Ya haveta blast the entire deck ta listen to it?"
She went serious as she studied him, "Is something bothering you Trip?"
A heavy sigh preceded his comment, "Did'ya even plan on stopping by before ya left, or were ya just gonna take off without even leaving a note?"
"I was trying to make it easy for the both of us, you knew it wasn't a serious thing with me to begin with."
Nodding, he went on, "I know, but dammit woman! Ya got under my skin. That don't happen everyday ya know."
She wrapped her arms around his waist and planted a light kiss on his mouth, then sighed, "I know it's sudden, but there are several previous archeological sights that might prove to be Ouhwan'hadeo ones that Starfleet wants me to explore."
He placed his hands firmly on her shoulders and smiled wryly, "Try and send me a letter once and awhile, could'ya? 'Sides, the Capt'n would more than likely appreciate any updates ya might be willing ta share."
She gave him an appreciative hug as she murmured, "What do you say we have one last 'fling' before I go, hmm? It could be a long time before our paths cross again."
Trip gave an exasperated sigh as he replied, "You are incorrigible!", then laughed as he shook his head, "Oh hell, you musta read my mind, 'cause I was thinkin' about it!"
With that, she pulled him all the way in and closed the door, activating the lock.
All the head officers were there in the shuttle bay to wish Commander Jimenez goodbye, they had returned to Concourse Station where the science vessel 'Troy' was waiting to pick up Jimenez. Captain Archer grinned as he walked over. "Next time you get an unexpected change in assignment, you might want to at least tell the officer in charge you have the tendency to bring surprises with you."
"I'll try and remember that sir, but you dealt all right with it."
"Only because I had an officer that needed help."
"Don't worry about me sir, I've always been lucky when it comes to getting out of a bind, the Spirits watch over me."
"Good luck Commander. Don't forget to write once and awhile, OK?"
"I won't, and may the Spirits watch over you and protect you as you journey onward."
She reached into her hip pocket and pulled out a white feather, the quill wrapped in soft leather adorned with a design of the Enterprise done with tiny beads. "This is a mark of a mighty deed, it is earned by any act of bravery or courage. Keep it near you so that those you meet might know you are a man of great deeds. Ya-ta-hay Captain, may your footsteps ever lead you on the path of glory."
They shook hands, then Commander Jimenez boarded the shuttle pod. As Mayweather prepared to seal the hatch, she blew Commander Tucker a kiss and waved to the rest of the assembled staff. Once she was situated in her seat she thought privately to herself, I forgot to find out who the Captain's secret admirer was. Oh well, maybe another time if the person doesn't reveal it by then. The pod launched and delivered their passenger to her next assignment.
Back on Enterprise, everything was returning to normal. The Captain was going over some of the reports in his ready room when the door chimed.
"Enter."
Trip came in wearing a thoughtful expression. "Got a minute Capt'n?"
"Sure Trip, what's up?"
Commander Tucker took a seat and studied his friend a moment before saying, "Think your ever gonna use that gift Salha gave ya?"
"I haven't really thought about it. I might if we find another one of their ships, that was the purpose of handing it to us."
"I was thinkin', they sure would be handy in directing us in which areas to search for other intelligent life forms. They explored most of the galaxy according to Vashar before returning to their homeworld for good."
Archer shook his head as he replied, "No Trip, it would cheapen the experience for me I think. I'd prefer to honestly say, we did it all on our own."
A wide grin spread across Trip's face as he chuckled, "I was just checkin'."
The two of them sat there and shared a moment of companionable silence before Archer rose.
"Enough idle time, let's pull our ass out of this port and continue our mission!"
Trip jumped to his feet and smiled before heading out the door, he paused on the threshold and turned back to Archer, "Hope we never have to call our furry friends, but it's nice to know we can if we need to."
The Captain gave him a shove, clearing the doorway, and gave him a good humored retort, "If I did call them, it would be to see if a healer could organize that scattered brain of yours!"
"Hey! I resemble that remark!"
Both men laughed as they made their way to the bridge, glad to be on track again. What they missed was a bright purple flare of light from the Ouwhan'hadeo amulet Archer had left laying on the desk, an image of Salha flashed briefly in its depths before going dormant. On the desk next to it, rested a silver toned ring with a small blue stone set in it. A note beneath it read: "Dear Captain Archer, It has been decided that to guarantee the contact stone from any misuse, a keystone will be required to activate it. This ring is designed to fit only you, to use it simply rub the stone as you evoke the master stone. Salha."
Outside the stars blurred as the ship went to warp.
~Fin~
* Lyrics courtesy of Enigma: The Screen Behind the Mirror, Gravity of Love
I hope you enjoyed my story, hopefully I'll be writing another shortly. Until then, hold true to your dreams!
Part 13
It took several days to sort out all of what the Ouwhan'hadeo had to tell, how they had once been explorers long ago but finally returned to their home world. In many cases they simply abandoned their space craft where they were at when the decision was made, meaning to collect them in time. Their life spans were staggering in human terms, even Vulcan ones, an individual could live up to 600 Earth years alone! It was easy to see how they could forget about an occasional ship here and there.
The healer, who they called 'Salha' for convenience sake, was the first of the three to improve her speech clearly. The leader they called 'Vashar', and the smaller male 'Hala'. He was still contrite about his unintentional knocking out of the Captain, apologizing every time he saw him, until Vashar offered to black him out for Archer if that would appease his guilty conscious. Salha was working with T'Pol to see if some of the techniques taught to cublin might help her devise a barrier from their stray 'reaches'. It seemed it was instinctive on their part to reach out to another's mind for minor information on mood, temperament, etc.
"She has not had much training to strengthen her mental blocks. Her people never had to deal with strong psionic abilities before."
Hoshi had learned of the other abilities while attempting to learn part of the Ouwhan'hadeo's spoken language. Apparently they had different levels to it, using the high mode when they first met the away team, but low-mode utilized only a single note. When she had asked for a definition on one particular word, she'd been surprised to learn it meant 'moving an object with one's mind without permission'.
The full impact of these beings abilities was phenomenal. True telepathy as well as psychokinesis, but the most stunning disclosure was their power to teleport. The portal they used on the ship was utilized only because they felt it would be less of a shock to any observers in the flight arena. Commander Jimenez had been delighted when she had been informed of the areas real purpose, smugly commenting that she had thought that's what it was for. Flight was an integral part of the Ouwhan'hadeos lives, to lose ones ability to fly was to lose ones soul.
Salha had been happy to demonstrate this ability to them, leaping from one of the ramps out into the air of the arena. As she swooped by, Ensign Sato had breathed, "She's beautiful.", softly.
"Capteen", Vashar still had some problem forming his mouth around the correct pronunciation of certain words, "We must leave yur company soon, our people have decided to return our ship back to our own wurld."
"I'll hate to see you go, it's been a real pleasure meeting you all."
Salha stepped forward just then, "If you ever have cause for our assistance Captain Archer, use this."
She dropped in his hand a piece of jewelry, a large clear lavender stone in a bronzed setting designed as a broach. He studied it a moment before thanking her.
"Let's hope we never require it for more than just a friendly get together."
As one, the Ouwhan'hadeo crossed their forearms over their chests, hands fisted and bowed their heads.
*Until we meet again then Captain, may your journeys fare well and the wind arises from behind you, lifting you on high*
"Thank you Vashar, may you also have a safe journey."
A light stirring of air in the room was followed by the immediate departure of his new acquaintances, they vanished in a wink leaving only the memory of their presence.
The comm chirped, Jimenez's voice announcing, "The Ouhwan'hadeo ship has vanished sir." She didn't sound surprised.
"Thank you Commander."
"Sir?"
"What Jimenez?"
"Salha did give you a parting gift, didn't she?"
"How'd you know that Grace?"
"Uhm, well sir, I mentioned that it might be a good idea to leave us something to contact them with in case we come across any more of their abandoned vessels."
"Jimenez."
"Yes sir?"
"Remind me to never doubt my superiors again, will you?"
There was a brief pause before she replied, a laugh lurking in her voice. "Certainly sir, by the way Hoshi just got a transmission from Starfleet command. Did you want to take it there?"
"Tell her, go ahead."
"Aye sir."
He sat down and leaned back, reflecting on the extraordinary meeting with the gentle and peaceful beings, wondering when the next time they would meet. His thoughts were interrupted by his private screen activating, Admiral Forrest's smiling face appeared.
"Well Jon, everything going all right for you with Commander Jimenez?"
Sitting forward, he smiled in return, "Admiral, have I got a report for you!"
Part 14
CONCLUSION
Commander Tucker ended up having to pound on the door to Jimenez's room with his fist in order to be heard over the music blaring from her quarters, he wondered if her hearing was damaged from listening to it so loud. The lyrics sounded something like, "Don't think twice before you listen to your heart, Follow the trace for a new start, What you need and everything you'll feel, Is just a question of the deal, In the eye of storm you'll see a lonely dove, The experience of survival is the key, To the gravity of love" *
The music died and the door suddenly opened and Grace smiled at him, "Hey Trip, come to say goodbye?"
"What the Hell were you listening to?"
Blushing, she said simply, "Enigma's 'The screen behind the mirror'."
"Ya haveta blast the entire deck ta listen to it?"
She went serious as she studied him, "Is something bothering you Trip?"
A heavy sigh preceded his comment, "Did'ya even plan on stopping by before ya left, or were ya just gonna take off without even leaving a note?"
"I was trying to make it easy for the both of us, you knew it wasn't a serious thing with me to begin with."
Nodding, he went on, "I know, but dammit woman! Ya got under my skin. That don't happen everyday ya know."
She wrapped her arms around his waist and planted a light kiss on his mouth, then sighed, "I know it's sudden, but there are several previous archeological sights that might prove to be Ouhwan'hadeo ones that Starfleet wants me to explore."
He placed his hands firmly on her shoulders and smiled wryly, "Try and send me a letter once and awhile, could'ya? 'Sides, the Capt'n would more than likely appreciate any updates ya might be willing ta share."
She gave him an appreciative hug as she murmured, "What do you say we have one last 'fling' before I go, hmm? It could be a long time before our paths cross again."
Trip gave an exasperated sigh as he replied, "You are incorrigible!", then laughed as he shook his head, "Oh hell, you musta read my mind, 'cause I was thinkin' about it!"
With that, she pulled him all the way in and closed the door, activating the lock.
All the head officers were there in the shuttle bay to wish Commander Jimenez goodbye, they had returned to Concourse Station where the science vessel 'Troy' was waiting to pick up Jimenez. Captain Archer grinned as he walked over. "Next time you get an unexpected change in assignment, you might want to at least tell the officer in charge you have the tendency to bring surprises with you."
"I'll try and remember that sir, but you dealt all right with it."
"Only because I had an officer that needed help."
"Don't worry about me sir, I've always been lucky when it comes to getting out of a bind, the Spirits watch over me."
"Good luck Commander. Don't forget to write once and awhile, OK?"
"I won't, and may the Spirits watch over you and protect you as you journey onward."
She reached into her hip pocket and pulled out a white feather, the quill wrapped in soft leather adorned with a design of the Enterprise done with tiny beads. "This is a mark of a mighty deed, it is earned by any act of bravery or courage. Keep it near you so that those you meet might know you are a man of great deeds. Ya-ta-hay Captain, may your footsteps ever lead you on the path of glory."
They shook hands, then Commander Jimenez boarded the shuttle pod. As Mayweather prepared to seal the hatch, she blew Commander Tucker a kiss and waved to the rest of the assembled staff. Once she was situated in her seat she thought privately to herself, I forgot to find out who the Captain's secret admirer was. Oh well, maybe another time if the person doesn't reveal it by then. The pod launched and delivered their passenger to her next assignment.
Back on Enterprise, everything was returning to normal. The Captain was going over some of the reports in his ready room when the door chimed.
"Enter."
Trip came in wearing a thoughtful expression. "Got a minute Capt'n?"
"Sure Trip, what's up?"
Commander Tucker took a seat and studied his friend a moment before saying, "Think your ever gonna use that gift Salha gave ya?"
"I haven't really thought about it. I might if we find another one of their ships, that was the purpose of handing it to us."
"I was thinkin', they sure would be handy in directing us in which areas to search for other intelligent life forms. They explored most of the galaxy according to Vashar before returning to their homeworld for good."
Archer shook his head as he replied, "No Trip, it would cheapen the experience for me I think. I'd prefer to honestly say, we did it all on our own."
A wide grin spread across Trip's face as he chuckled, "I was just checkin'."
The two of them sat there and shared a moment of companionable silence before Archer rose.
"Enough idle time, let's pull our ass out of this port and continue our mission!"
Trip jumped to his feet and smiled before heading out the door, he paused on the threshold and turned back to Archer, "Hope we never have to call our furry friends, but it's nice to know we can if we need to."
The Captain gave him a shove, clearing the doorway, and gave him a good humored retort, "If I did call them, it would be to see if a healer could organize that scattered brain of yours!"
"Hey! I resemble that remark!"
Both men laughed as they made their way to the bridge, glad to be on track again. What they missed was a bright purple flare of light from the Ouwhan'hadeo amulet Archer had left laying on the desk, an image of Salha flashed briefly in its depths before going dormant. On the desk next to it, rested a silver toned ring with a small blue stone set in it. A note beneath it read: "Dear Captain Archer, It has been decided that to guarantee the contact stone from any misuse, a keystone will be required to activate it. This ring is designed to fit only you, to use it simply rub the stone as you evoke the master stone. Salha."
Outside the stars blurred as the ship went to warp.
~Fin~
* Lyrics courtesy of Enigma: The Screen Behind the Mirror, Gravity of Love
I hope you enjoyed my story, hopefully I'll be writing another shortly. Until then, hold true to your dreams!