10/22/2261
Cargo Bay
1:30 PM
Kirk gently clasped his Soul Sister's hand. She and her lifemate both looked at him intently.
In their suits they couldn't soul touch, but they could read the worry in his eyes.
"I know you're worried, Jim," L'Naym whispered. "But I'm fine and so is the baby."
Kirk nodded and then moved toward the front of the room. Once he did so he looked over the
assembled faces, noting who would be leaving with the Waverider.
Lieutenant Akari, his Chief Helmsman and the Saratoga's best pilot would be flying it.
Lieutenant Devon Maxwell would serve at Operations. He was also in Command and a skilled pilot,
but his first love was computers and engineering. Very straightforward and responsible
Ensign Tanor Dal would be at Science. The young Betazoid had transferred to the Saratoga the year before.
Specializing in both astrophysics and technology, he was highly intelligent and incredibly observant.
Ensign Darlene Givens, who had also arrived the year before, would be at Engineering. She was quiet
but possessed of an endless supply of creativity and had often served at the Engineering station
on the bridge.
This Mini-Crew will be the lifeboat crew, he thought.
Aside from the cockpit, the Waverider had twenty seven seats.
Thirteen year old Anna Mayberry would be in one of them, as well as her parents, Chief Petty Officers Robert
and Silvia Mayberry. Robert was in Engineering but his expertise was with the impulse engines not life support
and so he wasn't needed. Neither was Silvia who was in charge of ship's resources.
Ten year old Connor McDowell was there, accompanied by five animals. Four of them his pets and one of which
was Filars' Yorkshire terrier, Chandler, which he had unofficially adopted. There was also his sixteen year old
sister Melissa and their aunt and uncle, Clara and Fergus McDowell from Engineering.
There was seventeen year old Natasha Holster and her parents. Petty Officer Brandon Holster was good at both
impulse engines and shuttle maintenance. Petty Officer Maria Holster was in Security. Boisterous and charismatic,
determined and dependable she excelled at working with young people.
Five year old Trisha Deerhorn and her mother Lieutenant Monica Deerhorn, also in Security.
There were both his Soul Siblings and standing near them was twelve year old Kevin Park. His adoptive father,
Chief Petty Officer Tolliver would be staying behind. As a member of the Senior staff and in charge of Operations,
Kirk had decided that he couldn't spare him, although it tore at his heart to separate them. L'Nyam had told him
that she had asked Kevin to help watch out for her and her baby during the crisis. Known for his strong sense
of responsibility the boy had immediately agreed.
Between him and Trisha that baby's going to stay safe for a long time, Kirk thought.
Petty Officer Greg Matthews from Personnel along with his wife Danielle and their three children: fourteen year
old Elizabeth and the three month old twins, David and Jonathan, whom both parents were holding tightly.
Lieutenant Selene Davis would also be going. As well as a highly dedicated Security officer, she was also
a skilled pilot who had often gone on shuttle missions. She could serve as relief to Akari, as well as providing
protection for the evacuees.
Crewman Ceron from Security was there as well. Kirk had picked him to go for his great physical strength
and his rapport with children.
Lieutenant Diana Belzoni, the Saratoga's Head Nurse would be going too. Although she'd be leaving behind
her husband, Lieutenant Commander Belzoni. She would serve as CMO to those leaving. Competent and
dedicated Kirk had full confidence in her.
The rest of those going were all civilians.
Botanist Amiseru Flibye was only three inches in height, but only an idiot would judge her by her size.
The avian-like, Fluveen was vibrant, regal and majestic. She would someday be a member of the ruling council
of her homeworld, but every prospective Heir was expected to spend some years off world learning and serving.
She had decided to spend two years of her Service Time onboard the Saratoga. A skilled botanist With a vast
amount of knowledge she had been dubbed the Queen of the Arboretum.
Naturalist/Archeologist, K'lik from Cel Prime was also on a two year study. An exacting naturalist with meticulous
attention to the slightest detail, the insectoid like being, had written volumes of notes and Kirk had often joked
that he had collected so many samples, that there wouldn't be any room left in the archive. 'If the universe is
truly endless that means that there are endless things to learn!" was his favorite saying.
Dr. Iri Nelena was a geneticist specializing in molecular ecology. The elderly Rigelian was possessed
of a sharp active mind and always noticed details others missed
Wyleen Ezba Srinel, from Zorla III, was a prominent anthropologist and historian. She was a master of cultural
appropriation and had proven invaluable on missions involving the study and contact with other civilizations.
Dr. Beverly Travis was both a skilled microbiologist as well as a good teacher.
Cres Vumor, from Orangen, was skilled at both dimensional physics and hydrology. He was determined
with a sharp formidable intellect and yet always approachable and good at explaining complex problems
and theories.
Kri'siya was currently on a three year project. The Azoren was over a hundred years old, yet had the form
and face of a woman in her mid twenties. A master of the study of mineralogy and crystallography, she was
wise and pragmatic yet had a healthy dose of humor. She was popular with young people and a good teacher.
"It's been 24 hours and we have been unable to repair our life-support," Kirk began. "This ship will
completely depressurize in an hour. There will still be power, but no heat and no oxygen. I have every
confidence that we will find a solution but asking all of you to stay will be asking you to risk your lives
and that is something I have no intention of doing. We are a family and our strength comes from each other."
He paused. "But sometimes it's necessary for families to split up." His eyes briefly met those of his
Soul Siblings. "It's time for you to go."
He took a deep breath. "You are all to report to the Waverider. It's warp capable and well supplied.
Lieutenant Akari, our finest pilot will be at the helm and there's not a man alive I trust more to fly you
to safety. Lieutenant Belzoni and Crewman Alyen will be with you for any medical problems that may arise.
I have complete confidence in them.
"There's a star system not far from here. At warp 3 you should reach it late tomorrow. According to
Stellar Cartography, it has several planets, one of which is class L. It's not as good as an M class,
but it can support life. The Waverider is stocked with supplies to last you for weeks. It has weapons
in the event that you run into danger. It's also equipped with long range transmission capability
so that you can contact any other ships that may be in the area and a subspace beacon which is
how we'll keep track of your location.
"The senior staff and I and the rest of the crew will remain behind and continue to attempt repairs.
Our suits will provide us with life support for two weeks. If we're not able to repair the ship before
then we'll evacuate as well and follow your course.
"When we see each other again…and we will…I expect all of you to have interesting stories to tell."
Saratoga Bridge
2:15 PM
From his Captain's Chair, Kirk watched as the Waverider soared away from the Saratoga and then
went to warp.
"We will see each other again," he whispered.