Another exciting day
Captain Holden walked onto the bridge as the turbolift doors closed behind her. Stryker was studying the results from a long range sensor sweep he just completed.
Ramirez was helping Newkirk at tactical. He looked up at her. "Good morning Captain."
"Morning Commander. Report."
"All systems fully functional. Shuttlecraft Griffin has been repaired. Crewman Liz MacGuyver reports the problem with the replicators has been fixed. We're finishing up our survey of the Elaris ion storm near the Neutral Zone, which should be done by 1100 hours. Stellar Cartography is still complaining that we're not close enough for a detailed scan."
"I suggest that they ask the Romulans for permission to enter their territory, " Stryker said with a smirk, not looking up from the helm.
Ramirez paused as the captain smiled and Newkirk let out a muffled chuckle. Smart ass. He then let a soft sigh out, just loud enough for the captain to hear. "Another exciting day."
My Heart, Your Heart
Stryker and Alice often shared the same shift on the bridge.
Alice's movements, always drew his attention. She would shrug her shoulders, sit straighter when excited, put her hands on her temple when thinking. Her smile was always welcoming. Sometimes a frown would appear, followed by a shake of her head. Her hands would come up to emphasize a point. And if she laughed, she was likely to pat the person next to her on the shoulder. Then there was her routine with her hair.
Alice had just loosened her hair and was shifting her hands through it before she would tie it back. She would do this once at mid-morning and once at mid-afternoon.
Stryker watched as her hands moved in the manner he had come to expect. First the thumbs brought her hair over her ears. Next, her hands would alternate smoothing the hair, using her thumb and forefinger as a loop to put the silky mass through. Then one hand would hold back the hair while the other held the hair clip. Finally, the left hand would smooth out the resulting ponytail with a quick flick. The movements had become so familiar over the past few weeks, like a predictable rhythm.
At 13:00 hours, Alice smiled at him before she left the bridge.
Ray followed Alice to her quarters without a clue as to what she intended to give him. His duty shift was over since this morning, and I was wearing civilian clothes, instead of a uniform.
He blushed a little as he considered what else they wouldn't have time for and chided himself for thinking such thoughts about a close friend. Granted, she was a very beautiful, bright and desirable. But he had Mouse. He slipped into her quarters, behind Alice in full control of his wandering thoughts.
Alice pulled open a drawer and withdrew a small wooden box. She had a sweet smile as she opened the lid and reviewed the contents. The box was full of pearls, most still connected to one of two strings, but with several loose pearls lying on top of the white nest. She walked toward Ray with a smile on her face.
"Here." Alice removed a white sphere and put it into the palm of his hand. She removed one more and held it between her fingers, although she now closed the lid on the box and set it on the table.
"Why do you have these pearls out here with you?" asked Ray. He knew she was very particular about her possessions. These pearls were certain to have a story.
"These were my grandmother's pearls. When she died, my grandfather broke the string in his grief. My mother collected the pearls knowing he would be upset when he realized what he had done. She tried to give them back to him, but he told her that they were mine. I promised him I'd always keep the pearls."
"It's beautiful, Alice." Ray looked at the orb in his had. "So these pearls are a connection to your family?"
"They've been passed down since before the Meiji era when cultured pearls were developed. The family legend is that one of a Tokagawa shoguns gave them as a gift to a samurai for the man's wife. The woman's quick thinking had prevented a catastrophic battle." Alice was almost blushing. "It's probably an exaggeration of events."
"No, I can see where the fighting spirit continues to live in your family," assured Ray. He inspected this small pearl that had so much history behind it. It was almost perfect, but this particular one had just a hint of asymmetry. "Funny, I thought pearls were perfectly round."
"Most of the pearls on the string are round, but nature makes them less than perfect like the cultured pearls we have today. But in Japan, we can see imperfections as enhancing beauty." Alice looked at Ray and added, "It's true about how we see people as well."
Ray felt uncomfortable, "Why are you not getting the string fixed ?"
"Oh, I will once I get married. It's like a wedding gift to myself. In the meantime, I keep the promise to my grandfather and always carry them with me."
"I see," said Ray. His mind provided a perfect image of Alice in a flaming red kimono with the string of pearls around her neck. He extended his hand to give the pearl back to her. "Thank you for sharing the story with me."
Alice merely clasped the pearl she had in her hand and closed his hand around the one she had given him. "I want you to take it."
Ray looked at her in disbelief. Alice frowned when she saw he still held his. "I'm sorry, Ray, I was out of line thinking that--"
"No, no, you weren't out of line, Alice. Thank you for the talisman," said Ray as he, too, unzipped his pocket and allowed the pearl to nestle next to his heart. "I intend to return it without harm."
"I trust you to keep it safe."
"I swear." Ray said.
Stryker made his way to his quarters. It was 1600 hours and he had just finished a killer double-shift. He was planning to sleep for an hour or so, but as he entered, a message in Alice's voice played.
"Hey Stryker. Come join me on deck 12, holodeck 9. There is a set of clothes on your bed I want you to wear. It will be funm I promise. Hurry."
Stryker was dressed in utilitarian red pants and a rough matching shirt when he entered the holodeck. The door disappeared behind him as he found himself standing alone in a square room with sandstone walls.
A woman dressed in clothes of the Earth's medieval period approached him. "Greetings. Were you send by the guild ?" the woman asked.
"No, who are you ?" he asked.
She smiled, "I am the receptionist, silly."
He glared at the woman when Alice walked into the room. "Please excuse my friend. He is new at this."
The hologram nodded. Alice continued, "We were sent by the guild, they said we are to receive our orders from you."
The woman looked Alice up and down as if inspecting her. "You are instructed to meet a man called Seth at the Solder's Sanctuary."
"Can you be more specific ?" Alice asked.
"No ," the woman answered "The message says just come."
"Thank you." Alice said, walking out the door with Stryker behind her.
Stryker examined the courtyard. The town was brightly alive with soft patches of grass and people planting flowers. Flower petals floated lazily through the hot air as the swirls of colour wound through the skies, and the cobbled paths were hardly empty, every person at work.
The houses were made of sandstone and clay, with large flagstones in the ground leading the outside perimeter of the town. He turned to Alice "What is going on ?"
"I am not sure yet. Except we have to pick up our weapons and armour at the blacksmith." she replied.
Several minutes later, they walked out of the blacksmith's shop. Alice was wearing a pink skirt and top underneath purple, gold edged rigid leather armour. Powder yellow leggings and bright, pure white boots. Alice had a finely crafted long sword. The ends of the hilt arched like spread wings, the blade a bluish color and the pommel was adorned with a golden crosspiece and a large sapphire.
Stryker was given a metal breastplate and backplate. He chose not to wear the rest of the armor for the sake of comfort. A silver bow in his hand, a quiver of arrows on his back and a knife hanging off a belt around his waist.
Walking through the town, he examined the high stone walls surrounding the city. Stryker turned to Alice "What is all this ?"
"This is what some of Earth looked like 1500 years ago. People then believed in magic, angels and demons. They had primitive weaponry, the lords and nobles system of property, castles and kings."
"Can you tell a little bit about these weapons ?"
"Swords and bow and arrow was the main weapons in this part of the world during Medieval times, Western Europe, France.
The huge man wearing a peasant's coarse shirt and trousers, was leaning up against the city wall next to the gate. He had a pair of knifes slid into his belt, and a sword hung at his side. "Hey gorgeous! Why don't you go with me instead of that kid ?" the man boasted.
"Buzz off, " Alice yelled. "And get out of my way!"
Stryker glared at the man menacingly, even hatefully. The man looked at her astonished. "You wouldn't happen to be the one going around calling yourself 'Dagger' would you ?"
She gave him a dirty look. "Call me that again and you won't have a voice left any more."
A sly smile appeared on his face, "Know my name kid, it is Malthar. Prince James sent me to kill you, any way I see fit. Now your coming with me little girl."
Stryker frowned, "How convenient, old, ugly, and insane too."
The man attacked Stryker. But Stryker moved faster and knocked him out, leaving the crazy man lying in the road. A number of people stopped what they were doing and took notice of the fight. "Quick. We have to get out of here." Alice urged him. I think I like this holo-novel, she thought to herself.
Stryker and Alice was standing at the top of a rise. Below, the trees gave way to a rambling meadow, hip-deep in grass and wildflowers. Crumbling rock fences meandered through the field. In the middle was a gentle hillslope, at the top of which stood the castle.
From here, Alice found it easy to believe that soon pavillions would fill the meadow, that knights would joust and archers compete, that maidens would be all aflutter over their champions, that minstrels and jugglers would entertain, and overlooking all would be the stern lord and his lovely lady.
It had not been built with defense of the land in mind, or housing for thousands of soldiers and servants. It had been built by one man as a home for his family, a home which would have been considered arrogantly huge but for a castle was really very small.
---add something here.
Alice and Stryker stood in a field of grass near a low underbrush and several stunted trees. Stryker aimed at a dead tree. He pulled back the string holding the arrow and let go. The arrow narrowly missed its target. "Stryker you're hopeless!" Alice laughed quietly.
He tried again. He took careful aim before releasing the arrow. Missed again. "Is that better ?"
"Umm ... No ... quicker. Oh, come on, lets not get discouraged!"
Stryker frowned. "But I don't think I can get it. This weapon does not suit me. Why can't the computer not provide me a sword or something ?"
"Because this holo novel is supposed to have a sword carrier and an archer."
"I do handle a sword or a slasher, but never used a bow before."
"What is a slasher ?"
"A bladed projectile weapon. Similar to your boomarangs."
She rushed forward with her sword and swung at the old tree, severing it greatly. "Show off." Stryker said dryly. She grinned as the heavy footsteps approaching them could be heard. Seven men in armor was chasing them on foot.
"Let's split up and meet in the castle, " Alice suggested.
"How can I get there ?"
"Castle Wyvern - its about three kilometers north from here."
Stryker took the left path and followed along a river, while Alice chose to take a short cut through the woods.
The path led him through the meadow, and down a steep, tree-studded hill towards a stream. Grimacing from the cold, he slid into the water. A few meters in, he slipped underneath the surface. His armor made swimming difficult. When he came, up, Malthar was crouched on the southern bank, his destination.
"Found you, boy," he sneered, and lunged. Stryker had no time to dodge. The weight of the huge man drove him back under the water. One of Tarva's enormous hands groped for Stryker's knife, but Stryker was thrashing wildly and not letting him grab it. With the other hand, Malthar held Stryker's head under the water.
Stryker did not enough time to take much air in, and his lungs were bursting. Finally, his thrashings got him somewhere. One of his fists struck Malthar in the stomach. The huge man groaned and staggered forwards, letting go of Stryker. Stryker raised himself out of the river, gasping and spitting out water. He climbed the southern bank as Malthar rose.
Without a word, Malthar drew his throwing knives out of his belt and flung it at Stryker. The two projectiles missed him by a few centimeters, as Stryker leapt to his left. He attacked Malthar with his knife, the weight of his waterlogged clothes seemed incredible, and this old fushioned armor wasn't helping matters either. But the older man not faring much better as they fought each other, hand to hand.
He heard a voice, fearing it was another attacker to turned around to face to owner of the voice. He saw a woman wearing had a golden skirt, a leather belt with a silver buckle, and a blue bandanna. Since she was unarmed, he ignored her as Malthar rose again. "You dont give up do you ?" Stryker said as he glared at the hologram.
Malthar looked considerably dazed, but it was still prepared to fight. "It ends here old man." Stryker said as he charged.
The rain had stopped, but the ground was muddy and she slipped several times. That trip through his holographic forest was something Alice could have done without. Bare bony branches like skeletal fingers caught at her hair, snagged her clothes, printed scratches on her hands.
A twig snapped behind her, Alice immediately spun around, her sword coming free of her scabbard with a steely hiss. Looking around, she caught a glimpse of a brief, furtive movement. A figure was moving about in the trees. Alice didn't quite trust herself to follow the retreating figure - whoever it was might not have anything to do with her, and besides, mud wasn't the easiest thing in the world to move quietly in.
"Who are you ?" Alice said tried to sound bold. She realized the holo-novel was starting to get to her.
The tall man laughed as he revealed himself. He was wearing a white and blue long robe. He carried a long walking cane. "My name is Rune, but others still call me pig or conceited."
"Do not forget arrogant, annoying windbag. "Alice added.
He flashed her a grin. "That's the spirit."
"What are you doing here ?"
"Seth heard the prince hired bounty hunters to kill you and he sent me to help you."
Alice maintained her battle stance, her sword ready to strike.
Unfazed, he approached her. Rune suddenly stopped his advance and gasped. Every muscle in his face registering pain and surprise. An arrowhead protruded from his chest. Slowly he looked down, then up at her, a confused expression on his face. "Alice . . . ?" he whispered as he collapsed to the forest floor, his body fading in holographic haze.
Stryker come running towards her. "Looks like I arrived just in time."
He was accompanied by a woman called Demi. Alice looked at him. "Why did you do that ? He was sent help to us."
"Malthar said others was sent to take care of you. I figured he was one of them."
She sighed, then smiled, "I'm fine. Whatever gave you the idea I was in trouble ?"
The building, or such of it as was visible, was of dark, rough-hewn stone, unornamented. There was only one storey, but it was impossible to tell how large the building was, for the wall soon vanished into the trees on either side. The doors were plain wooden rectangles, and had no handles on the outside. "We have to find another way in ..." Alice said.
Stryker kicked the thick door twice, sending it crashing down.
Alice looked stunned. He turned to her, "So, are we going in or what ?" Alice touched his chin as she walks past him. Stryker smiled a little.
Once inside, Demi, Stryker and Alice walked into a small square chamber, with a packed earth floor and walls of the same dull stone as the building's exterior. In the center of the room, a sprawling winged structure constructed of a pale gray stone. Each of the interior walls had a wide passage leading away.
His combadge suddenly beeped. He groaned before answering, "Stryker here."
"Cadet Alice, Cadet Stryker, " Commander Ramirez's voice said. "Report to the briefing room in ten minutes."
"On our way sir."
Alice pouted. "Damn, just when it got interesting."
"Computer, discontinue program and exit."
The mission
Alice and Stryker entered the briefing room. He glanced around the room to look at whose company he had the pleasure of sharing. Lady Oratrei, Ensign Perl, Mouse, MRess, Ray, Lucida, Wiuen and a young asian woman he haven't met before.
Ramirez sat at the head of the table, a PADD was waiting at each chair. The first officer acknowledged their entry, as Alice and Stryker took a seat. "This is Lieutenant Talisa Soto. She will be your commanding officer for the duration of your next mission."
"What is the mission sir ?" Ray asked.
Ramirez pressed a series of buttons at the table. The monitors in the middle of the table lit up with an image of a gas cloud and three stretching red lines to indicate the flight path of shuttles. "This is your mission. Rendezvous with a Romulan courier and an Avian vessel en route and deliver Lady Oratrei to DMD 416. Starships are too big to pass through the narrow corridors near DMD 416. An omega type nebula surrounds the region around DMD and the nebula itself is twentyfour and a half lightyears across. Two or three pulsars orbiting each other in the center." Lieutenant Soto announced.
Stryker calculated it would take about six or seven days to make the trip, one way. Ramirez continued, "Assigned to the runabout Griffin; Lieutenant Soto, Cadets Stryker and Lucida. Ensign Perl, Lady Oratrei and Cadet Alice assigned to the shuttlecraft Pegasus. Cadet Ray, Mouse and MRess assigned to the shuttlecraft Phoenix."
"Any questions ?"
"One question sir." Ray said. "Why send 3 shuttles?"
Ramirez answered, "Operating procedure for sending shuttles that are furreting diplomats and ambassadors, require atleast one more shuttle to escort it in case of trouble. Lieutenant Soto has done this run, four times so far with Lady Oratrei. Three of the four times, one of the shuttles come back with minor damage from piloting mistakes made in the subspace corridors."
Ramirez paused to allow everyone a little time to absorb what he said. "Any other questions ?"
When no one responded, Ramirez nodded, "Alright. Dismissed. Report to the shuttlebay tomorrow, zero nine hunderd hours sharp."
Mission Prep
0800 hours, the next day.
Lieutenant Soto met everyone in the shuttlebay. She had prepared a list of equipment to load.
Alice examined the Pegasus, instantly recognizing its classic bulky shape. "Is this a type 3 shuttle ?" she asked. Shaedal Tierney nodded.
"I thought the entire class was retired from service 40 years ago." Alice said.
"This is likely the last one in Starfleet. The others were either recycled or decommissioned and sold to civilians." Tierney replied.
The Phoenix was a type 5, introduced when the first Ambassador class ships come into service, but generally not popular with newer starships as most prefer types 7, 8 and 9. The Griffin was a new Swift-class runabout, a significant improvement on the Danube.
Perl looked at her PADD, confirming the items being loaded: additional science equipment, an EV suit for everyone, spare parts and replicator 'bio-slurry' for food, enough for ten days. However the two shuttles lacked an important feature normally present on long duration missions: the sonic shower.
Onboard the Phoenix; Mouse, Wiuen and Ray conducted pre-flight safety tests. "Warning, Environmental shutdown." the computer announced. Life support has been deactivated.
"Oops." Wiuen said whimsically from OPS.
Mouse groaned, "Why are we going to be stuck with him ?"
"For twelve days." Wiuen said gleefully. He was enjoying this. Stryker overheard their conversation and smirked.
Into the Nebula
Ten minutes later, three smaller vessels exited the Aurora's shuttlebay. Stars moved slowly by as the trio moved away from the Federation starship. Stryker was at the runabout's controls. He turned to Lucida, "You know, I feel sorry for the others, being stuck in the shuttle with Wiuen."
She shared a wry smile. "No kidding, eh ?"
The Griffin, Phoenix and Pegasus flew side by side as they entered the purple and red cloud of gas, dust and interstellar debris. The Aurora leapt to warp to continue to its own mapping mission.
Next Chapter
Rendezvous
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