Saratoga Botany Bay
4:15 PM
L'Naym took a deep breath.
The Enterprise was gone.
At exactly 1:25 PM it had departed. L'Naym and the others in the Botany Department, even Rodriguez, had gone
to the nearby windows to watch. She had felt her stomach clench as the silver ship vanished into the red chaotic
depths of the anomaly.
"It's just a matter of waiting now," Rodriguez had said solemnly. 'They've rigged two way communication
between both ships. Hopefully we'll know something soon."
Several tense minutes later the Captain had made a ship wide announcement that the Enterprise had safely
made it back to its reality.
It had seemed that everyone on the ship had let out a long exhale.
Nobody had been happy about the Enterprise crew being here. But nobody had wished harm to come to
to them either.
The anomaly…she had heard Commander Thelin refer to it as a Quantum Storm … had dissipated not long
afterwards. She had felt a surge of relief and knew that everyone else felt the same.
The Saratoga was now slowly moving away from the area at impulse so as to monitor for any further
changes. They would be going to warp tomorrow.
Not soon enough as far as she was concerned. The Quantum Storm might be gone but who knew if it might
come back or what affect it might have if it did? The Captain had ordered warning beacons left behind to steer
any ships clear of the area and she knew she wouldn't be the only one breathing a sigh of relief when they were
far away.
The rest of the ship was still cataloging all of the data collected, filling out reports, but she could sense that
everyone was going through the slow exhale after a storm.
And this had been quite a storm for everyone.
Which is why she had a request for Commander Thelin. The Andorian had a knack for being everywhere at
once and he had once again come to the Botany Labs where he was going over some data with Rodriguez.
She waited until he had finished his discussion before approaching. "Commander, may I have a word?"
Captain's Ready Room
4:15 PM
Kirk let out a sigh. Since the Enterprise's departure he'd been busy, either on the bridge, visiting all
the Departments, or talking to personnel. Not to mention having a few subspace meetings with Starfleet
Command. He'd been ordered to take the Saratoga to Starbase Sigma. While there he'd confer with
Starfleet about what happened and share the data collected about the anomaly.
This is big, he thought. We've studied a strange anomaly and encountered beings from a parallel reality.
He was now taking the time to go over some reports. Now that the immediate crisis was finally over,
things were finally slowly down. But there was still subtle tension which he knew wouldn't leave until
they were far away from here and would probably continue for awhile after that.
In the meantime he had ordered his Senior staff to take well deserved breaks after this shift was over.
He knew that tonight a lot of people would enjoy long sleeps in their own quarters.
He looked up as the chime sounded. "Come in."
His expression lightened as his Soul Sister entered. "Shylea. Have a seat."
"Captain," she said softly. "I had a formal request that I wanted to make. When I spoke to Commander
Thelin about it, he said that it was alright to ask you directly, since you were going over some reports."
"We may still be on duty but there's no need to be formal, sis," he said warmly.
She let out an exhale. "I'm glad. I know how busy you've been. And how busy you still will be for awhile."
"Tell me about it. Starfleet's going nuts over everything that's happened. But what did you want to ask?"
"The whole crew's been on edge since this entire incident started. We're leaving the area where the anomaly
was, but there's still a lot of tension and probably will be for the next few days. I wanted your permission
to put a potluck together for the crew."
Kirk's eyes widened and then he smiled in appreciation at his informal morale officer. "I think that's a
great idea, Shylea. These past few days have been beyond stressful on everyone and a potluck will do
us all a world of good. Go right ahead and start putting it together. I'll bring the hamburgers." He chuckled.
"If I can manage not to burn them."
She smiled and then quickly became serious. "And how are you, Jim?"
Wordlessly he reached out his hands. Without hesitating she took them.
Two Souls touched.
A Joined Soul and a Soul that she and her Other Half had touched.
*They were only here for two days, Shylea. But it feels like a lifetime. This took quite a toll on me.
I've been thinking over and over about other realities and what might have been. And that hurt…
a lot.*
The Touched Soul shared his pain.
The Joined Soul poured out her love and support.
*You and Tuskaro helped me more than you'll ever know.* The Touched Soul poured out his love
and gratitude. *You and the entire crew. I know Thelin told you it was ok to see me because he
thought it would cheer me up. The whole crew's been hovering close. I wish I had a credit for
every concerned look or someone asking me if I was alright.*
*You are our Captain, Jim,* the Joined Soul responded. *And our friend. We're all with you.
We all love you. Part of the reason the crew was so tense was because they knew how badly
all of this was hurting you.*
*I know. Last night I was talking to Tolliver and he helped me put a lot of things into perspective.
When the Enterprise showed up I spent too much time thinking about what I had and not enough
appreciating what I have. And what I have is the best crew that anyone could ever ask for.*
The Touched Soul squeezed the Joined Soul's hands. *And I also have the best brother and sister
anyone could ask for. How have Byou/I been Shylea? You and the baby? I know you've
been stressed too.*
The Joined Soul smiled reassuringly *We're both fine, Jim. Not long after the Enterprise left,
Dr McCoy had me come down to sickbay so he could run a few more scans.*
*That's good.*
*I've already made one request, Jim. Can I make another?*
*By all means.*
*I hope you'll be taking a break once this shift is over.*
*Oh yeah. The whole Senior Staff will. Bones told me he'll probably sleep straight through
to tomorrow.*
*In that case, Captain, I'd like you to join Tuskaro and me and for dinner tonight. I think you could
use with a home-cooked meal. And a well-fed, well-rested Captain is good for morale too.*
The Touched Soul chuckled. *I will consider that an order, Sis.*
"All decks this is the Captain.
"When the Enterprise first appeared I asked you to put all of your skills and expertise into finding a way
to help them get return to their reality. And that's exactly what you did. Even though this was a very
perplexing and difficult time for all of us, you all performed admirably, as you always have. You all gave
your best as you always have. And I thank you for that.
"I want all of you to know how proud I am of all of you. But even more, how grateful I am to all of you.
For being there for me as you've always been. For being the finest crew that any Captain could ask for.
"Captain Jason Morrick can have his Enterprise and the other Kirk can have his. As far as I'm concerned
I've got the far better deal on both counts.
"Kirk out."