Uninspired Voyages
A Star Trek: Voyager fanfiction by Andrew J. Talon
DISCLAIMER: This is a non-profit fan based work of prose. Star Trek: Voyager, Deep Space Nine, The Next Generation et al are the property of CBS Television, Para creation of Gene Roddenberry. Please support the official release.
Meanwhile, back in the Alpha Quadrant... The year 2372.
Master Chief Shepherd had fought many battles in his life. In the 21st century, he had fought in Ukraine, Belgium, and Singapore, to say nothing of covert operations in Iran, Colombia, and Northern China. In the 24th century he had been part of a number of covert operations before being assigned to the Enterprise-D. These operations had taken him away from his family for long periods of time, hence he had used the clout he'd achieved from being successful to get an assignment that let him spend the maximum amount of time with his family, while letting his beloved wife fulfill her dreams.
Battle was a part of his life. It was just who he was. For a long time, he'd wondered if battle was all there was to his existence... But then he thought of his family. He thought of his beautiful Earth, peaceful and united. He thought of humanity, still flawed, but striving to be better and truly going out into space. All things he had thought beyond him in the dark days of the Eugenics Wars...
And he knew that the battle had meaning. It was not a curse to fight for what you loved. To protect it.
Even so... He wished it wasn't necessary.
Right now, he was on the Promenade of Deep Space Nine, fighting Klingons. He and the other security forces had eliminated all but one of the boarding parties that had beamed into the Promenade. This final party had had time to dig in a bit around the Replimat, turning over tables and setting up some portable forcefields for cover.
It was only expected that, after Shepherd Senior and others had been allowed carte blanche to improve the fighting capability of Starfleet's forces after Wolf 359, that other powers would get in the game. The Klingons still carried bat'leths of course, but their battle armor was now enhanced with artificial muscles and helmets. They carried portable cover in the form of forcefields, just like the Federation did. They even brought along grenades and heavier weapons. They also used more advanced tactics, rather than charging in with a disruptor and a knife and hoping for the best.
Hell, Shepherd Senior had helped train a fair number of the commanders in the Klingon Defense Force in these tactics as part of an exchange program to promote good will between their two nations. He had kept in contact with a number of those men. Men who regarded him as, if not a friend, then a fellow warrior. Who he had regarded in the same way.
Now, he probably had to kill a lot of those same men.
War sometimes could really, really suck.
"GRENADE!" Jenkins, one of his troops, shouted. His HUD showed the projectile arching into the air. It exploded into a bright flash-Shepherd was lucky his faceplate had gone full gold to block the blast. The grenade rumbled, his ears protected but the vibrations still powerful.
This is when the Klingons made their charge, expecting his men to be disoriented. They'd been moving the moment the grenade was launched, and were covering eachother even as they rushed for glory. It was a good tactic, and they had clearly practiced it many times.
"Not yet... Not yet... FIRE!"
It didn't avail them though. His troops fired their phasers, blasting the Klingons down. They returned fire, catching one of his men-Gregkak-In the helmet. His faceplate was blasted through and he fell down hard. Shepherd Sr. stood up and emptied his phaser into the oncoming horde.
He put multiple rounds into the charging Klingon squad, bringing down the survivors with grim efficiency. He then ducked behind cover as the troops left behind returned fire. A photon grenade flew over the holographically concealed forcefield, but he snagged it out of mid air, and threw it right back at the Klingons. It exploded, killing their main heavy gunner who was behind some improvised cover. He tapped his commbadage as he moved forward.
"Doc, see to GreggKak! Everyone else! Cover and follow me!" He shouted. His fellow Starfleet security troops followed, laying down fire as they charged the Klingon position on the Promenade. The Klingons had been trying to gain access to the main reactor systems of the station-Textbook strategy. The only way to access those levels was via the Promenade-The other areas had thick duranium plating, blocking transporter locks.
The Cardassians had built this station to be tough, and long lasting. While they weren't exactly sophisticated in most things, in basic engineering they kept things simple and reliable. Which is why the Promenade's various structures for bridges and walls were so durable.
A Klingon in battle armor popped out from a pillar, and opened fire with his disruptor rifle at point blank range. His shield tanked two hits, and would have failed past the third had he not rammed the butt of his phaser rifle into the Klingon's face. He Kept charging, using the Klingon as a shield from more disruptor fire as he plowed right past their cover. He threw the Klingon into another, and slammed a new powerpack into his rifle. He opened up, blasting the nest of Klingons all scrambling to try and take him down.
He downed another, and another. His heart beat hard in his ears as the world seemed to slow down around him. His suit sensors beeped a warning of an energy spike behind him, and he swung around. He took a full powered disruptor blast to the side, his shield cut to nothing and his suit armor burning. His fellow troops brought down the flanking Klingon, and he went down in a hail of phaser blasts.
Master Chief Shepherd scanned around-A turbolift shaft was opened. He turned to the squad science officer-A little Bajoran girl named Rina Orax.
"Orax?" Shepherd demanded. She had her tricorder out, as the other members of the squad maintained overwatch around her.
"I've got four-five Klingons repelling down, sir!" She cried. "We can get down to the other turbolift shaft and cut them off before they get to the engineering spaces-!"
Master Chief Shepherd calmly pulled out two photon grenades, set them for maximum personal injury, activated them, and dropped them down the shaft. Orax watched them fall. The deck rumbled a bit when they detonated. She checked her tricorder.
"Or... We could do that," she said, "they're all unconscious or dead!"
"Stevens, Frr'kid, get down there anyway," Shepherd Sr. ordered, "get squad 2 to meet you!"
The two troopers saluted.
"Aye sir!" They headed off. Another call came through, and Shepherd Sr. tapped his commbadge.
"Doc?"
"I put Greggkak into stasis, but I don't know if we can save him," their medic, a Caitian named Gib Neko, reported grimly. Shepherd Sr. nodded.
"Understood. Let's get him to the infirmary," he stated.
"Speaking of, darling," his wife spoke over the comm, "I need reinforcements. More Klingons have arrived and they're targeting the infirmary!"
"
Squad 1, move out!" Shepherd ordered, "head for the infirmary!"
He began running.
"Dear, how's Arul?"
"She's gone into labor," May said, "so if you'd please hurry?"
Shepherd Sr. made double time. A Klingon warrior charged out of hiding, and tried to charge him with a bat'leth.
"BORG SLAYER, YOU HAVE MET YOUR MATCH-!"
The Master Chief Petty Officer punched the Klingon with every bit of strength he and his powered armor could muster. He sent him slamming through a window into Quark's bar.
"Not NOW! My grandchildren are about to be born!" Shepherd Sr. shouted.
Doctor May Shepherd hadn't wanted to take up the sword again. Not really.
Certainly, she had still practiced with her blade for exercise, and to preserve her family arts. She'd even begun teaching her darling son the arts when he was small, to pass on their heritage. But she had promised herself that she would never strike with her sword in anger again, once she had married the love of her life.
Then the Borg came. And so many other threats. And she'd had to step back... Back into the May who had survived in Turkana IV's ruined streets. During those years, she had worn a blue cloak to conceal her face, to give her some protection from the elements... And from what she had to be. It had always comforted her, like a security blanket, and Starfleet had allowed her this eccentricity. Because it had helped protect her from those terrible memories.
Back to memories of cutting down men twice her size with tricks, speed, and her blade.
Back to memories of blood splattering on her stoic face.
Back to memories of death, and pain, and desperation.
All because if she didn't... Worse things would happen to the people and worlds she loved. Her beloved husband was a soldier, and a very good one-Perhaps the best. But she? She was a warrior, who had had to improvise every means of survival and virtually every weapon she ever had. It's what made her such a good technician.
Admittedly some of her repairs hadn't quite been Starfleet regulation, but Geordi had been impressed with how well they could work in a pinch. And she very much admired his abilities. Admired all of the senior officers of the Enterprise, really.
Her son... She had allowed him his space. He wanted to cut his own path in life, and both she and her beloved husband had agreed. He had to find his own way. May and her husband, well... They were used to madness. To violence. To chaos. But their son had been forced into that life, and had resisted the apparent call to be more than just an ordinary person. She couldn't fault him. A quiet life was what they all desired.
It was what she wanted for little Mirai, her precious daughter, even now safe on Earth.
But the galaxy was dangerous. And if anyone was to have a peaceful, happy life, some had to sacrifice for them. That was the way it had always been.
It was why she stepped out of the Deep Space Nine infirmary onto the Promenade, sword held at her side, her cloak waving behind her. Seven Klingons in battle armor, wearing fur cloaks over their high tech gear, waited for her. They were armed with larger, but thinner bat'leths. The traditional bat'leth was for close quarters combat exclusively-A warhammer mixed with a sword. Perfectly acceptable if used in that way, and if you could get in close with your foe... But no reach beyond that.
These bat'leths were more akin to long swords-They offered some reach, and were light enough to be handled more easily. Clearly, they had been expecting her.
The leader stepped up, a tall, proud Klingon woman (judging from the exposed cleavage).
"May Shepherd, Borg Slayer," she stated, raising her sword in salute, "I am Karin, daughter of Hrolock. Leader of Gowron's Advanced Guard! It is an honor to fight you today."
"You'll excuse me if I don't share your enthusiasm," May said calmly, "my son is lost on the other side of the galaxy, my daughter-in-law is giving birth to my grandchildren, and my daughter is all alone on Earth." She held up her sword.
The Klingon growled, and held up her own blade.
"That should make your death in battle all the more glorious!" She cried, as she swung for May. May's sword moved a moment too late, and she was bisected in two. Karin grinned savagely... Just before May Shepherd vanished. Her eyes widened.
"Wha-URGH!"
May Shepherd reappeared behind her, the holocamo system on her clothing deactivating as she rammed her blade through the Klingon woman's chest.
"I hope you survive," May stated calmly, "this isn't one hundred percent lethal, and it would be nice if we could get to know each other better after."
"Hurk...!" Karinfell to her knees, out of the fight. May swung around and engaged the other Klingon warriors. Two struck her from the sides, but May quickly and efficiently parried their strikes. One ducked and swept her blade for May's feet, but the human woman jumped and planted a foot in her face. She backflipped, barely avoiding the Klingon guard who tried to strike her from behind. She slashed across his back, before swinging downwards to take his arm off.
"AAAHHHHH!" He shrieked, as the four remaining Klingons surrounded May. They struck in pairs, trying to catch the woman between their blades. May spun like a tornado, blocking, parrying, and countering as she tried to keep moving. The Klingon guards stayed with her, swinging furiously and never relenting.
May got a slice across her shoulder through her thin armor. Another slashed across her belly, almost cutting through to her skin-She wasn't disembowled, but she was bleeding. She activated her sword's forcefield and charged through, tackling one of the warriors and flipping up off her armored shoulders. She landed on the bulkhead, magnetic boots sticking and letting her defy gravity. She kicked back off, plunging her blade through another Klingon's heart.
May leaped and backflipped back, barely avoiding disruptor blasts from one of the Advanced Guard. Two others charged to flank her, heedless of the blasts. One swung hard for May's off hand, but she instead used her gauntlet to trap it, and swing herself up onto the Klingon's shoulders. She plunged her sword through her chest, even as she flipped backwards to avoid the disruptor fire.
She succeeded... Almost. One shot hit her side, knocking the wind out of her. She slammed hard into the deck, barely able to roll to disperse the harsh momentum and avoid the falling Klingon. She rolled back to her feet, sword raised to block more disruptor shots with her forcefield. But now more Klingons were approaching, from above on the upper levels. They targeted her with their disruptors, even as the last of the Advanced Guard closed with their bat'leths. Including Karin, who had not been as grievously injured as May thought.
It seemed the Klingons were using more advanced healing technologies in their armor. That or she had missed the back up heart on her. Pity.
They were far more synchronized now, swinging and thrusting for her as she dodged and weaved and parried. She didn't have the raw strength that her husband's powered armor offered-That wasn't how she fought. She was far more focused on stealth, speed and agility. But these things didn't help her that much out in the open.
The two squads of Klingons, eight each, raised their disruptors and locked on. May knew her forcefield wouldn't last long under such an onslaught...
Hurry my love, hurry...!
Rapid phaser fire erupted from further down the Promenade, and the Klingons turned to return fire even as many of them fell. May caught sight of her husband's tall, armored form, as he charged down the Promenade. He was dual wielding phasers, something he had sworn was stupid and ridiculous.
But it was fairly effective, given it was letting him distract the Klingons while his fellow squadmates took them out.
May saw one of the Advanced Guards look away, just for a second. She sprang like a tiger, plunging her sword right through her throat. May rapidly spun around to deal with the last of the Guards, Karin... But she had stormed into the infirmary. May charged in after her.
Karin was blasted with a phaser-Doctor Bashir was as accurate as ever-But her forcefield lasted just long enough for her to duck into the side room. May ran in after her-But had to stop as the Guard held her disruptor to the panting Arul's head. She had been laid on a biobed, a Bajoran nurse at her side. The nurse was terrified, but stood her ground even as the Klingon woman dug her disruptor into the side of Arul's head.
"You call this honorable?!" May demanded, outraged.
"There is nothing more honorable than victory," Karin spat, "and you will suffer greater pain than you inflicted upon me!"
May grit her teeth. She could throw her sword and take Karin out... But the coward was holding Arul up as a shield. She might harm her. Same would go for a phaser-Even a light stun could harm a woman in labor, and her children. And it wouldn't have any effect on Karin through her armor.
She tightened her grip on her sword.
"You want to fight me, face me! Klingons do not take hostages!" May snarled. Karin sneered.
"Honor will be bestowed upon me, as long as I do harm to the enemies of the Empire! Martok taught me this! He picked me himself! And I will do you great harm right now-!"
A slim Klingon form darted up behind her, and wrapped his arms around her throat. Karin gagged, and May sprinted like a cheetah. Karin's finger was tightening. She was pulled away from Arul, but it wasn't enough to avoid a shot... May leaped! SHE SWUNG!
The disruptor erupted as Karin screamed. Every shot went up into the ceiling, as her hand was separated from her body thanks to May's strike. May slammed down hard on top of Arul's legs, as Karin staggered backwards with the young Klingon boy. The one Arul had spared, May faintly realized.
Karin elbowed the boy in the stomach, and then flung him into the bulkhead. He slammed into it, collapsing in a heap. She roared her rage, hefting her bat'leth with her remaining hand. May lifted her blade, focusing on offering what protection she could-!
TSEW! TSEW! TSEW! TSEW! TSEW!
Master Chief Shepherd, his fellow MACOs, and Doctor Bashir lowered their weapons. Karin fell to the floor, her body vanishing as she was vaporized. The Master Chief went to his wife, who hugged him. She immediately got off Arul, and moved to her side.
"Arul? Arul?" May asked.
"I am... All right," Arul managed, breathing hard. "Please... I can feel... Them...!"
"I'll handle this, I'm a field medic," May called out, "please! Help the boy!"
"Odo to Shepherd, I could use some help near the reactors," the Changeling security chief spoke. Master Chief Shepherd nodded, even as he held his damaged, wounded side. It had hurt, and hurt bad, the entire time he'd been charging to the rescue.
Pain was nothing new though. Not in this line of work.
"I'm on my way," he stated, but Bashir held up a hand. "Doctor-"
"You're not going anywhere," he stated, "not with that hit to your side. Besides, I need some reinforcements here!"
Shepherd Sr. stared at the slight but imposing doctor for a moment... Before he nodded.
"Jenkins, Orax: Take Squad 1, get down to the reactor section," he ordered.
The troops saluted.
"Aye sir!"
They headed out, scanning around for any hostiles as they left. A few Bajoran security officers, injured but not dead, managed to get up.
"Sir, we'll help reinforce things," one of them said. Bashir made to object, but Shepherd gave him a look, The Doctor scowled, but nodded.
"Just until we get some reinforcements," Bashir stated, no room for argument in his tone. Shepherd Sr. laughed softly.
"Agreed, Doctor. Squad 3? What's your status?"
"We've cleared out the troops that invaded Ops, sir," his second in command reported, "the command crew is fine."
"Get down to the Promenade, we need reinforcements around the Infirmary," he stated.
"Aye sir!"
Shepherd Sr. took up a position where he could see the door, as Doctor Bashir got to work. His wound was cleaned, and bandaged up in no time. His armor still had holes in it, but he could make do. Especially since, while he was willing to keep going... He was very tired.
He could hear Arul's soft cries of pain, and his wife's quiet encouragement. He saw the Bajoran nurse help the young Klingon boy, healing him up quickly. The boy staggered up to his feet... Just as some loud cries filled the air.
"That's right, that's right, one is out Arul! Come on, push! PUSH!" May encouraged. A second baby's cries joined the first. The Klingon boy gaped in disbelief. Bashir rushed over, having been helping another doctor with Greggkak. The doctor quickly joined the two women, helping to cut the umbilical cords and clean and wrap up the babies.
Shepherd couldn't see them well from where he was keeping watch... But he saw Arul's tired, small smile as she beheld them in her arms. And the tears in the eyes of his wife.
"Boy and girl, perfectly healthy! Congratulations, Miss Arul," Bashir said with a smile, "I see you induced full labor yourself?"
"Had... To... No time... Otherwise," Arul managed softly. "And its... Mrs... Shepherd... Please..."
"That's going to get confusing," Bashir observed dryly. He looked over at the Klingon boy. "You should go help keep watch. I need to do a few things. Nurse?"
"Yes doctor," the nurse said, moving over to help Bashir. Mrs. Shepherd bent over and kissed Arul's forehead, before she headed over. She was limping a bit as she knelt down next to her husband. She held out her hand.
"I'll take this watch," she said, "you go and see them."
The Master Chief smiled, and opened his helmet long enough to kiss her cheek.
"Decided on a name for the sword yet?" He asked. Arul looked down at the blade at her side. She looked thoughtful, even as she took the phaser rifle into her arms.
"Defiant Hope' sounds good to me," she said. Shepherd Sr. chuckled, and nodded.
"I like it," he said.
His wife beamed at him, and held up the rifle.
"Go on," she said encouragingly. Shepherd Sr. grimaced.
"But-"
"I got to see them, you should too," she insisted. Shepherd Sr laughed softly, and kissed his wife quickly.
"You have no idea how much I love you," he murmured. May Shepherd grinned.
"I have a pretty good idea-About as much as I love you," she replied softly.
He got up, walked over to his daughter-in-law's side, and looked down at the two babies. Doctor Bashir and his nurse headed off to help more wounded. The Klingon boy lingered, looking awkward. He looked over at the boy, and waved his arm.
"Come on over," he spoke. The boy walked over, nervous, but he peered down at the two children.
Arul again smiled softly. Which meant she was on a lot of drugs.
"What's your name, son?" Shepherd Sr. asked.
"K-Kroton, son of Urasi," Kroton responded. Shepherd Sr. nodded.
"I owe you a great debt, Kroton, son of Urasi," Shepherd stated, "you protected the innocent from a dishonorable warrior. You protected my family... And I thank you."
Kroton flushed, and managed a quick nod.
"Yes... But... I-I turned on my own people," he mumbled, "I-I killed a member of Gowron's Advanced Guard! I... I don't know what to do!"
He looked at Shepherd Sr.
"I even helped my enemy," he mumbled, "I... I am a traitor..."
"Yet you acted more like a Klingon than that pa'tak did," Shepherd Sr. stated. He clasped a hand on his shoulder. "If you want... You are free to stay here."
Kroton frowned.
"I... I will consider it," he said. He tilted his head. "What will you name them?"
"Tal... Tala," Arul managed, "after... my father..." She closed her eyes and passed out. Shepherd Sr. stroked her head gently. It was not the kind of gesture that Arul would tolerate awake. But... He considered her as much his daughter as Mirai was. He just hoped she picked up his feelings of pride and affection.
How he wished his son was here. Maybe, one day, he would be.
Until then? He would do what he could for his son's new family. His family.
He looked over at his wife, still standing guard despite how injured and tired she was. They shared a warm, understanding smile.
They were, as (almost) always, of the same mind...
In the Delta Quadrant...
Tom Paris had heard about Shepherd's little adventures on the Enterprise-D. The spy hadn't volunteered the information, but Harry was surprisingly adept at looking up old reports from their records and Tom of course could read between the lines. He was the son of a famous admiral, after all.
The idea of a teenaged Shepherd evading the security teams of the flagship on a weekly basis, leading them on merry chases around the ship, had seemed... Laughable. Maybe it happened once, but so many times? No one could be that good.
Plus, Voyager was a hell of a lot smaller than a Galaxy-class starship. How many places could he hide?
"Well," Harry grumbled, sweeping around the cargo bay with his tricorder, "he's not in here."
Which is when Shepherd came barreling out of a Jefferies tube behind Harry. The ensign squealed in fright and jumped, while Tom had to consciously keep himself from firing his phaser.
Given Shepherd's wild eyes, red face, and maniacal grin, Tom felt he should be praised for his incredible restraint. Shepherd was also covered in bruises-He'd had a scuffle or two with the Hazard Team members.
Biessman in particular was very put out, given Shepherd had covered him in noodles.
"Hey guys!" Shepherd cried. "Sorry! I lapped myself! Gotta keep going!"
"Hey, Shep, buddy," Paris tried calmly, "it's okay. You've been running around for almost an hour... You can take a break-"
"NOPE! No break! She doesn't get a break from child birth! I can feel it! She can't take a break, so I don't take a break!" Shepherd babbled. The rest of the Hazard Team ran into the cargo bay through the main doors, phasers ready. Munroe cleared his throat.
"Lieutenant? It's okay," he said, "just calm down-"
"Telling someone to calm down never makes them calm down!" Shepherd cried, twirling around like a ballerina. "YOU CAN'T MAKE ME CALM DOWN BY TELLING ME TO DO SO! THAT"S NOT HOW IT WORKS! DON'T YOU KNOW ANYTHING?!"
In less than a second, Shepherd had sprinted across the cargo bay and skidded to a halt right in front of Munroe. The ensign held his ground, though Chell yelped and Telsia gasped.
"I'll have to lead a workshop on improving hostage negotation skills!" Shepherd shouted. He grabbed Munroe's phaser rifle, and shoved it back into his hands, "also you carry your phaser like a sissy! Chell is holding his gun more manfully than you!"
"Thanks sir! I uh, think," Chell mumbled. Telsia rested a hand on Munroe's shoulder, which seemed to calm him. He nodded to her. Telsia then set her gun down and smiled widely at Shepherd. She spread her hands out.
"It's all right, sir," she said, "you going on a tear like this to try and keep your girlfriend-"
"Wife."
"Wife calm is... Admirable," Telsia said, "buuut, you're freaking everyone else out."
"So let's just go to Sickbay, and ride this out," Munroe added. Shepherd looked back and forth between the two groups. His left eye twitched a few times.
"... Can I have ice cream?" He asked.
"Sure! How about chocolate?" Telsia asked.
"CHOCOLATE IS BAD FOR ME WHEN I'M IN LABOR!" Shepherd screamed, looming over the cringing Telsia. "DON'T YOU KNOW ANYTHING?!"
"Um, but you're not a Vulcan! Or pregnant!" Munroe pointed out. "Uh, sir!"
"If I have chocolate," Shepherd growled, "I will feel drunk and I'll PANIC! DON"T YOU GET IT?! GEEZ ENSIGN!"
"GRAB HIM!" Telsia shouted. Munroe, Tom, Harry AND Telsia all tried to tackle Shepherd... But the deranged security chief cartwheeled out of the way with nearly inhuman agility, leaving the junior officers in a heap.
"OOF!"
"GAH!"
"WATCH THE HANDS, SIR!"
"That wasn't me, that was Harry!"
"NO IT WASN'T!"
Chell sighed heavily. He did look a bit smug though, as the other officers untangled themselves and got up. Shepherd was crouched atop a stack of cargo containers, leering down at them.
"Nyah nyah! Can't catch me!" He shouted.
"Set for stun," Munroe mumbled. Telsia nodded, and readied her phaser... When Tom held up a hand. The pilot shook his head.
"I didn't want to do this," he mumbled. He tapped his commbadge. "Paris to Kes?"
"I'm here," Kes spoke. A moment later, the cargo bay doors opened and Kes stepped in. Shepherd stared at her, twitching like a feral animal.
Kes smiled warmly, like the sun, and clasped her hands together.
"Oh Shepherd," she said, "you don't have to keep doing this to yourself. You're just going to hurt yourself, and that would make everyone very, very sad." She covered her heart, "especially me. You're like my big brother."
"Nnngh... NO! NO! YOU CAN'T DO THAT! YOU'RE NOT THAT CUTE!" Shepherd cried.
Kes pouted. Tom resisted the desire to say 'aw', while Telsia had no such restriction. Munroe was a bit flummoxed, while Chell and Harry were transfixed. Shepherd twitched more violently, shaking his head.
"NO! NO! STOP DOING THAT!" He repeated. Kes then slipped on a pair of cat ears, and held her hands up like kitty paws.
"Nyah?" She asked, tilting her head with an adorable smile. Shepherd held his chest.
"NNNGH! NO! YOUR CUTENESS... WILL NOT WORK ON ME!" Shepherd groaned. "NNngh... So... Cute...!"
Kes slipped a cricket phaser out from under her skirt, and fired.
The blast hit Shepherd in the chest, and he crumpled. Munroe moved, and caught the lieutenant before he hit the deck. Everyone looked over at Kes, who was still smiling like the sun.
"Mission accomplished!" She chirped. She beamed at Tom. "Great plan, Tom!"
"I have my moments," Tom managed. Telsia shook her head. Harry scowled.
"When were you going to tell the rest of us this plan?" Harry protested. Tom shrugged.
"When it worked... So... Now?"
"Tal... And Tala..."
Shepherd slowly opened his eyes. He blinked up at the sensor array overhead. He felt the biobed underneath him... Yup, he was in sickbay again.
"Welcome back, Mister Shepherd," the EMH deadpanned, "how are you feeling?"
"..." He looked at his arms, curled up like he was holding two babies to his chest. He could still see them, and feel... Arul's joy, and love. He allowed himself a small smile, as he leaned back and closed his eyes.
"... I'm a dad," he said happily, "I feel... "
He could feel the smile on Arul's face...
"... Great."
The EMH nodded.
"Good... But, just to be certain... Kes?"
"Wait what-"
Kes pulled out her phaser and stunned Shepherd again. The big human again went limp and crumpled. The Doctor glared at his assistant.
"I meant sedate him!"
"Oh! Oops," Kes mumbled, lowering the phaser, "that's my fault! Forgive me... Nyah?"
She tilted her head with another cute smile.
The EMH continued to glare.
Kes sighed.
"Sorry... Nyah."
"No cat ears while on duty!"
"Yes Doctor..."
Back in the Alpha Quadrant...
Master Chief Shepherd was sorting through the paperwork from the recent battle on Deep Space Nine, while his wife worked on dinner. Honestly, this was probably the most exhausting part of the entire thing-But he did it, and he did it right.
Most of the time.
The door chime rang. The master chief made to rise, but his wife shook her head.
"I'm closer and already up," she said.
"You're injured," he pointed out, looking meaningfully at the brace around her ankle.
"So are you," she sniffed, glaring at the bandages around his torso. "And I'm closer."
Shepherd Sr sighed and sat back down. "You never play fair."
"Nope," she said with an impish wink, as she walked up to the doors. "Enter?"
The doors parted, revealing the tall form of a familiar Klingon in a gold uniform. May gasped happily.
"WORF!" She immediately pulled him in, and as the doors shut, she gave him a hug, "oh, it's so good to see you! We've barely seen you at all since you got here!"
"I apologize for that," Worf said with a nod, "but I had a great deal of work to do. How are you both?"
"Oh, we're alive," May giggled happily. She patted the brace on her ankle, "still recovering in some ways. Go on, take a seat! I'll get drinks!"
She hobbled off back to the kitchen, as Worf walked over to the Master Chief. He rose from the couch and smiled. He clasped Worf's hand in his own, a warrior's embrace.
"How are you doing?" Master Chief Shepherd asked, as they sat down. Worf on the adjacent couch, while Shepherd Sr. sat back on his own. Mrs. Shepherd swept over soon after, setting down some drinks before she headed back to resume work on dinner. Worf took his prune juice and drank hearty, as the Master Chief imbibed his own drink with equal gusto.
"So," Shepherd said, "you didn't say what your decision was about the Nyberrite Alliance."
"No, I did not," Worf agreed. Master Chief Shepherd eyed his old friend.
"... So?"
Worf allowed himself a small smile. "I had a chat with... Captain Sisko. I believe that... Staying in Starfleet would be a better choice, on the whole."
"I'm glad," Master Chief Shepherd said, "I haven't had a chance to fight alongside you in a long time. It would be nice to do so again."
Worf nodded back to his old friend.
"Yes... It would," he said.
Mrs. Shepherd returned with plates piled high with food. She set them down on the coffee table, before taking her own seat next to her husband.
"I'm sorry I could only replicate your favorites, Worf," she said, "I didn't know you were coming."
"It's quite all right," Worf said with a nod. They ate in silence for a time, before Mrs. Shepherd spoke.
"I'm sorry to hear what Gowron did you to and your house," she finally said. Worf paused for a moment, before he sighed heavily.
"... I was not paying enough attention to how things were going back home," he admitted. "I trusted that my brother could handle the political side of things. That... Was a mistake."
"You've never been a politician, Worf," Master Chief Shepherd said, "hell, none of us are."
"And even if you were, chances are, you wouldn't have been able to do anything about it," May sighed. "This... Has been a long time coming."
"I know," Worf admitted, "the Empire cannot stay at peace for too long. It's in our blood, our very soul, to be warriors. To fight, and conquer. I had hoped that the Dominion threat would unite us more closely with the Federation, but... to go this far?"
May said nothing. Master Chief Shepherd grunted, as he ate his bread. Worf looked over at the two.
"You did serve as part of my house. I made you part of my house. I feel I have failed you."
"Worf," May said gently, "none of us could have predicted what Gowron would do. He is a craven, political animal. Always has been... For a Klingon," she said quickly at Worf's look. "It is clear though that he was desperate. His hold on the Chancellorship was getting more difficult to sustain due to how he was enriching himself at the expense of several Middle and Lower Houses. He had to declare war on someone to keep his position. And he had to eliminate any potential rivals-The House of Mogh could build enough of a coalition to usurp him."
"You have kept an eye on Klingon politics?" Worf asked, interested. Both Shepherds nodded, as May sat up.
"Well... When you get asked to work with Klingons as part of the Khitomer Alliance mutual defense agreements, you do tend to make a lot of contacts," she said.
"And it pays to know your allies as well as your enemies," Master Chief Shepherd interjected, wrapped an arm around his wife's waist.
Worf sat back, his frown returning.
"There is much I must do though, despite being declared a traitor," he said. "I must get in contact with Kurn. And we must investigate the Advanced Guard-That such a dishonorable warrior got into an elite unit is troubling. This entire build up of forces went on without my knowing."
Worf grimaced.
"My ignorance becomes more appalling by the moment-"
"Stop beating yourself up," Master Chief Shepherd told him, "what's done is done. You've been in this situation before, Worf. We can climb back out again. All of us, together. You're Junior's godfather, for God's sake!"
Worf smirked a bit.
"You gave me that honor only because I was the only one who could consistently capture him," he pointed out.
"So it is well earned," Mrs. Shepherd smiled. Worf laughed loudly, but cut it short as the Shepherds shushed him.
"Sorry, but Arul and her babies are still sleeping," May said. Worf raised an eyebrow.
"So... Your son has... Reproduced," Worf managed. Master Chief Shepherd chuckled.
"Yup! And with an amazing woman. Would have to be, to shackle our son."
"Indeed," Worf muttered. "I am sorry he is lost on the other side of the galaxy. Though... I am sure he is fine. It would be more infuriating that way."
The Shepherds chuckled, squeezing one another's hands.
"That it would," Mr. Shepherd agreed.
Hours later, Arul sat in a chair nearby one of the Shepherds' quarters' portholes. A crib for her newborns sat nearby. She was... Not comfortable leaving them alone for any period of time. The danger of the Klingon invasion was over for the moment, but it was logical to keep them in sight after such an event. To be there for her children.
Tala began to whine softly, and Arul reached down to touch her daughter. She quieted as she felt her mother's telepathic connection, and soon went back to sleep. Tal had become agitated, but calmed down as his sister did the same. Again, Arul allowed herself a small smile.
She could sense so much about them... And so much reminded her of Shepherd. At that thought, she looked out the transparent aluminum, to the stars.
"It's nice to look at the moon in the summer," Shepherd had told her, one summer night. They sat on the roof of his apartment on a warm blanket, with a picnic dinner to share. They were drinking cold Darjeeling tea, a favorite of hers of Earth beverages. The salt air of the sea gently blew over them thanks to the wind, a gift from the nearby Atlantic Ocean.
Starfleet Academy was in San Francisco, but Starfleet Intelligence was based near Charleston, South Carolina. Shepherd's apartment was in Mount Pleasant, and they were just able to make out the Patriot's Point Naval Museum as the moon shone down on the harbor.
"Your species has always been so fascinated by it," Arul observed, "you have so many stories about it."
Shepherd had grinned at her.
"Did you do research for our date? That's so cute!" He gushed. Arul did not blush.
... Much.
"So, tell me, what's a story you read about the moon?" Shepherd asked eagerly. Arul hummed, as she took a sip of tea.
"The story of Princess Kaguya from Japan was fascinating," she said. "You have many tragic love stories in your lore. This one was... Very interesting."
"Yeah, my mom used to tell me that one," Shepherd agreed. He sighed as he looked up at the moon. "I can't help but think that... There was more to it than just in the original tale."
Arul studied him.
"Oh?" She asked.
Shepherd nodded.
"Yeah... Princess Kaguya gave the man she loved a potion of immortality, because she couldn't resist being taken back to the moon to deal with suitors her parents wanted her to marry. But... The man burned the potion in fire, destroying it, rather than living forever without her." He shook his head. "I always saw it a little differently."
"How so?"
"If Princess Kaguya loved the mortal man enough to give him a potion of immortality," Shepherd explained, "then I think it was a message. Saying that, no matter how long it took, she would find a way back to him. And that it might take far longer than a human lifespan. The message was, 'wait for me. I will return. Someday, somehow.'"
Arul absorbed this, and studied Shepherd. He looked very sad all of a sudden.
"But he missed the message," Arul surmised. Shepherd nodded.
"Yes... That's what makes it such a sad, cruel story," he sighed. "Yeah... We humans do love our tragedy."
Arul hummed. She then reached out and squeezed his hand. He looked up at her.
"If we were in that position," Arul stated, "I have no doubt you would drink the potion, and wait for me."
Shepherd gave her a wry grin.
"That's very romantic, Arul."
"Romantic? No," Arul said softly, "you would never accept death as an alternative to having me in your life. You would understand the message. You would be... logical."
Shepherd's grin grew.
"That is probably the nicest thing you've ever said to me," he said.
"I have seldom needed to say things for you to understand me," Arul murmured.
Shepherd pulled her in for a kiss...
"Arul?"
Arul turned to look at her mother-in-law. She nodded to her.
"I am all right, May, thank you," Arul replied quietly. "We are all right." She looked back out at the stars.
May was silent for a moment. Then:
"He'll come back. I know he will," she said softly.
Arul nodded.
"I know he will... I understood the message."
It was illogical on the face of it... But only if you didn't know the people involved. When you understood that?
Arul knew she would see her Shepherd again.
Hope you enjoyed this brief detour.