Nine years later...
Personal log, Captain Jack Thomas. June 7, 2389. With our recent diplomatic mission complete, the Dynasty has been recalled to Earth to undergo a three week retrofit. Most of my crew have been granted shore leave, with only essential personnel staying on board. Some of my senior officers have chosen to take leave, but I chose to keep working, at least, until yesterday. My wife has finally convinced me to take some time off. She's been begging me to take a break ever since we returned to Earth. Now, here I am, on leave for a week. Lorza and I are taking the girls to Honolulu, a city I've always enjoyed visiting. I take my duty to Starfleet very seriously, and I admit that I can come across as a bit of a workaholic, but… I'm looking forward to the break.
Personal log, Lieutenant Commander Lorza. Stardate 66451.3, or June 7, 2389 by the Earth calendar. Jack and I are headed to Honolulu, one of Earth's most popular vacation destinations. I've been there many times with him, and I find it to be a very beautiful place, with a rich culture and history. I'm looking forward to this time away from the ship and the work. I enjoy Starfleet, and I find my work fulfilling, but family is first. We need to spend more time with each other, and this is the perfect opportunity. Zala and Zyri haven't been to Earth since they were five, so this will be good for them as well. Two of my friends, Catherine and Vezzi will be meeting us for lunch. I'm glad they were both able to take leave. We don't see each other that much, since we don't serve together. We can call each other, but… it's not the same. Catherine has been a great friend since the academy, and Vezzi… well, we've known each other forever it seems. She's all I have left of the life I had on Kasara. I have missed them both, and I'm looking forward to this. I will cherish every moment of it.
On the planet Earth, the city of Honolulu is a tropical paradise, and a popular place for many to relax, thanks to the minimal Starfleet presence. Among today's visitors is Jack Thomas, a clean cut, athletic man of thirty seven; Lorza, a near human Kasari woman with bright red hair and purple eyes. Lorza is sixty eight years old, but appears to be in her early twenties due to the much slower aging process of the kasari. Also present are Jack and Lorza's nine year old twin daughters, Zala and Zyri. The four are currently walking away from a transporter pad.
"When are we meeting Aunt Vezzi and Aunt Cat? Is Sara coming?" Zyri asks.
"In about fifteen minutes, and yes, Sara's coming." Lorza answers.
"Cool. I wonder if they'll get us anything." Zala says.
"You can't always be expecting gifts." Jack says.
"Your father's right. Be grateful for what you have." Lorza says.
"I am. It's just… they usually get us something. Cat gets us cool stuff, like that holo program we got for our last birthday." Zala says.
"What about Vezzi? She buys you things too." Lorza says.
"Yeah, but her gifts are boring." Zala says.
"Zala... " Lorza says.
"She got us books for our birthday! I hate books!" Zala says.
"I liked them just fine." Zyri says.
"Of course you did!" Zala says.
"I like reading! I'm gonna join Starfleet and be an engineer!" Zyri says.
"I thought you were going to be a science officer?" Zala asks.
"I changed my mind." Zyri answers.
"Again." Zala says.
"Engineering is way cooler! I'm gonna design ships!" Zyri says.
"Ugh! How boring! I'm gonna be a security officer! All I'll have to do is shoot things and arrest people!" Zala says.
"Girls! That's enough!" Jack says.
"Sorry, papa." Zala and Zyri say in unison.
"Thank you. Now, let's get moving. The restaurant's just around the corner." Jack says.
A few minutes later, Jack, Lorza, and their daughters enter a large restaurant. They check in with the host, and are instructed to wait. Soon, they are approached by three people- Vezzi, a Kasari woman with bright green hair, who appears to be the same age as Lorza; Catherine Brumley, a woman of thirty one, with auburn hair and lightly tanned skin; and Catherine's thirteen year old daughter, Sara Brumley, who seems to be focused on the PADD in her hands. Lorza approaches Vezzi, and the two women clasp hands.
"Semvat selahim." Lorza says.
"Semvat selahim." Vezzi says.
"What's that all about?" Catherine asks.
"Roughly translated… welcome dear friend. It's a traditional kasari greeting." Lorza answers.
"We keep to a few of the old traditions." Vezzi says.
"At least the ones we like." Lorza says.
"True." Vezzi says.
Lorza and Vezzi briefly embrace, then Lorza approaches Catherine, and the two embrace.
"Hi, Lolo." Catherine says.
"Hi, Cat." Lorza says.
"Crikey! What is that you're wearin'? A dress? Swimwear?" Catherine asks, taking note of Lorza's outfit, a colorful dress made of a thin, semitransparent fabric. Lorza chuckles at Catherine's comment.
"A little bit of both, I suppose." Lorza answers. She looks at Sara, who is still focused on reading her PADD. Catherine takes note of this, and taps her daughter on the shoulder.
"Sara! Put that bloody thing away and say g'day yer aunt!" Catherine says. Sara finally stops reading, and looks at her mother. Then, she looks at Lorza.
"Oh. Sorry, mum. I was just readin' crime reports. Hi Aunt Lolo." Sara says. Lorza embraces the girl.
"Hi, Sara. How are you?" Lorza asks.
"I'm great. Glad to be out of school for the next three days." Sara answers.
"You think regular school's tough? Wait until you get into the Academy." Lorza says.
"Only four more years to go. Assumin' I get in the first year I'm old enough." Sara says.
"So… Crime reports? Getting in a little light reading I see." Lorza says.
"Sara's… got it in her head to be a security officer. Spends a lot of time studyin' the criminal mind." Catherine says.
"Sounds interesting. I think there's a little more to security than just going after the bad guys." Lorza says.
"I know. Security officers also have to defend their ship and crew." Sara says.
"That's right." Lorza says.
"She can handle a phaser pretty well already, and she's learning hand to hand as well." Catherine says.
"I could give you a few tips on that if you're interested." Lorza says.
"Sure, Aunt Lolo. I might take you up on that." Sara says.
"I'd be glad to help. Zala wants to go into security as well. I think you two should get together sometime and talk about it. Maybe the both of you could even train together when Zala gets a little older. Speaking of Zala... " Lorza says. She spots her daughters nearby, playing on a PADD. Lorza lets out an exasperated sigh, and walks to Jack. As Lorza approaches, she casts a sideways glance toward Zala and Zyri. Jack looks their way, and sees what they're up to.
"Damn…" Jack says.
"I thought we told the girls no games on this trip." Lorza says.
"We did. They must have grabbed the PADD when we weren't looking." Jack says.
"I love them, but… they can be a handful at times." Lorza says.
"Tell me about it. Zala! Zyri!" Jack says. The girls stop playing, and look at their parents.
"We told you… to leave the PADD at home." Lorza says.
"Sorry, mama. We just…" Zala says.
"Save it. Give me the PADD. Now." Lorza says, as she extends her hand. Zala sighs in frustration as she hands the PADD to her mother.
"We'll talk about this later. For now, I want to be on your best behavior. I don't want to have to separate you like we did at Uncle Rick's wedding." Jack says.
"Yes, papa." Zala and Zyri say in unison.
An hour later, the group exits the restaurant. As they are walking down the street, a group of several people in black outfits appear. Their purple eyes and pointed ears mark them all as kasari.
"Oh, fuck." Lorza says, upon recognizing the insignia on the kasari outfits.
"Language, mama." Zyri says.
"Girls… get back, now!" Lorza says.
"What's wrong?" Jack asks.
"It's… the Order of Kodar. I recognize the outfits." Lorza answers.
"Those religious maniacs you told me about? What the hell are they doing here?" Jack asks.
"I don't give a damn. They're here, and now I have to deal with them." Lorza answers.
"We have to deal with them. I'll call in some commandos. Maybe… that'll be enough to take them down." Jack says.
"We'll need a lot of them." Lorza says. Jack nods in agreement, then taps his combadge.
"Special Forces Command! This is Captain Jack Thomas! I need a response team in full tac gear beamed to my position on the double!" Jack says. There is no response.
"They should have answered by now! Something's wrong!" Lorza says. Vezzi takes out a tricorder and scans the area.
"There's a dampening field here. It goes out… twenty meters in each direction." Vezzi says.
"Okay… plan b! Somebody needs to get out of the dampening field and contact SFC!" Jack says.
"Catherine, you should do it. Take the girls with you. Jack… you should go too." Lorza says.
"I'm not going anywhere." Jack says. Lorza takes his hand.
"Jack… there are ten of them." Lorza says.
"I know. I can't even take on one of them. Still, I'm not leaving you." Jack says. Before Lorza can respond, one of the kasari, an older, bearded man, approaches.
"I am Grand Emtoc Zarayn of the Order of Kodar. Lorza of Clan Barvash and Vezzi of Clan Rethlu… you have committed crimes against the faith, and you will answer for them. Humans, we have no conflict with you. You may leave." Zarayn says.
"Catherine, take the girls and go!" Lorza says. Catherine nods, then starts to walk away with Zala, Zyri, and Sara.
"The human child may leave. The unclean will remain." Zarayn says. Jack starts to charge toward him, but he is restrained by Lorza.
"Unclean? You son of a..." Jack says.
"Easy, Jack." Lorza says.
"So, you are the one who has defiled our sister." Zarayn says.
"I'm not your damn sister!" Lorza says.
"All Kasari are children of Kodar, for he is the creator of all. The one true god. Kneel before him and ask for his forgiveness. Redeem yourself, and your life will be spared. Your children will be allowed to live, so that they may serve Kodar as his disciples. Your… mate will of course be put to death for his sins." Zarayn says.
"Catherine! Take Sara and go! I'll make that an order if I have to!" Jack says.
"Alright. Sara, honey. Let's go." Catherine says, taking her daughter's hand. Sara nods, and reluctantly follows her mother.
"Now that the humans have left, we will carry out our judgement." Zarayn says.
"You… have no authority here!" Jack says.
"The Order of Kodar… does not recognize your corrupt Federation." Zarayn says.
"I've been thinking of what I would say if I ever crossed paths with any of you bastards again. Right now, two words come to mind. Fuck… and you." Lorza says.
"I am familiar with Earth speech. Your insult is blasphemy of the highest order. Repent now, or die with your mate." Zarayn says.
"Grand Emtoc! Starfleet will detect our ship soon! We must act quickly!" Another Kasari, a younger man, says.
"I know, Luraz." Zarayn says.
"If you're so worried about Starfleet, why not just leave now? I'd be willing to forget any of this ever happened." Jack says.
"The will of Kodar must be done." Zarayn says.
"Fine. I'm done playing nice. Get the hell of my planet!" Jack says, as he takes out a previously concealed phaser.
"Jack, no!" Lorza says.
"Everyone, run!" Jack shouts. He fires his phaser, hitting one of the kasari in the shoulder. The man staggers back, and seems disoriented, but remains standing.
"That'll just piss him off!" Vezzi says.
"I know, but it'll buy you some time! Lorza, give me your phaser!" Jack says.
"No! I'm staying!" Lorza says, as she pulls a concealed phaser out of her dress. Jack notices his daughters are still nearby. They are now crying and embracing each other.
"Girls! I told you to get out of here!" Jack says. Zala and Zyri look at their father, then their mother.
"We're… scared…" Zyri says.
"I know, sweetie. I know. But you need to listen to your father. These are… very bad people, and they'll hurt you. Please, go." Lorza says.
"Mama…" Zala says. Lorza closes her eyes briefly as a single tear rolls down her cheek. After a few seconds, she calms down, and opens her eyes again.
"I love you, little ones. Now, go. Be safe." Lorza says. Zala takes Zyri's hand, and the two girls start walking.
"We cannot allow them to leave!" one of the Kasari says.
"They will not get far." Zarayn says. He takes a small golden ball out of his robe, and throws it. The ball lands at Lorza's feet. Zarayn and his fellow cultists all take several steps back.
A Vashkim device? They're only children! Bastards! I'll see you in hell for this! Lorza thinks.
"Girls! Run! Now!" Lorza shouts.
Suddenly, the ball starts to shoot out red smoke. Lorza, Zala, Zyri, and Vezzi all start coughing. Jack seems unaffected.
Lorza warned me about these stun grenades. It looks like they only affect Kasari. That means… I'm on my own. Unless Catherine can get some help. Jack thinks.
Within seconds, Lorza, Zala, Zyri, and Vezzi all lie on the ground unconscious. As the red smoke clears, Jack now faces the cultists alone.
"Looks like your little toy doesn't work on me." Jack says.
"You… are nothing, infidel." Zarayn says.
Oh, what the hell? Who wants to live forever? Jack thinks. He spots Lorza's phaser lying on the ground, and picks it up. Now holding a phaser in each hand, he starts shooting, and charges toward Zarayn. The kasari leader charges toward Jack with great speed, and picks up the man as if he weighs nothing. Zarayn then throws Jack several feet into a nearby wall, knocking him out.
"Grab the children, then make sure the others are dead." Zarayn says.
'Yes, Grand Emtoc." A kasari woman says.
Two kasari pick up the unconscious Zala and Zyri. As a few other kasari aim their weapons and prepare to execute the others, fifty heavily armed Starfleet Special Forces Commandos beam in.
"Starfleet! We must leave, Grand Emtoc!" Luraz says.
"Very well. We have what we came for. Prepare for transport!" Zarayn says.
As the commandos start shooting, the kasari beam away with Zala and Zyri.
"Shit!" A middle aged man says.
"Captain! I've traced their transporter signal to a ship in orbit." A nearby lieutenant says.
"Good. Contact Starfleet Security. Johnson, how are they?" the captain asks, looking toward a young man standing over Jack, Lorza, and Vezzi with a medical tricorder.
"Captain Thomas looks to be in pretty rough shape. The others… looks like they're just stunned, sir." Johnson answers.
"Alright. Get these people sickbay. Everyone else, we're done here. Let's get back to base and report to the admiral." The captain says.
The first chapter was just a prologue introducing us to Jack and Lorza. Now, we pick up their story nine years later. They've risen through the ranks of Starfleet, and now serve on a new ship, the Galaxy-class USS Dynasty, which we will learn more about in the next few chapters.
This chapter begins the first main story arc, which will be set in 2389. It will focus on Jack and Lorza's desperate mission to rescue their daughters. We will also learn more about Lorza, and her people, the kasari.
Next chapter: Jack and Lorza are visited by a Starfleet legend...