TFS Okinawa
Task Force 4
DRACONIS 427
2030 HOURS ZULU
DECEMBER 12 2367
The doors to Ry'ac's office slid open with a soft hiss. General Samantha Carter O'Neill strode in, both Ry'ac and Charlotte Burke snapped to attention, saluting as the high-ranking officer entered the room.
"At ease," General Carter said, her tone firm but warm as she made her way toward the viewport that overlooked the red planet below. Her gaze turned to Charlotte, a woman marked by both brilliance and grief. "You must be Lt. Commander Charlotte Burke." She extended her hand, breaking the tension.
"Yes, I am." Charlotte accepted the handshake firmly. "Great to meet you, ma'am."
Carter gave a small snicker, shaking her head slightly. "Likewise. But please, call me Sam. 'Ma'am' makes me feel ancient."
Charlotte smiled faintly. "Sorry... Sam."
Carter crossed her arms and took a moment to study Charlotte, noting her stiff posture and the flickers of emotion that played behind her eyes. This wasn't a simple meeting—it was an evaluation, both of Charlotte's competence and her ability to handle what might come next.
"Tell me about yourself," Carter began, her voice softened but direct.
Charlotte hesitated for a second, then took a deep breath. "Well, I'm a Lt. Commander for the Planetary Union's Tactical Astrometric Research division," she began, her voice steady though her body language suggested deeper emotions. She crossed her arms and cast a quick glance at Ry'ac before continuing, her gaze now fixed on the Orville visible in the viewport, its shuttles and fighters scrambling in the distance.
"I was assigned to the Orville after a devastating attack on Earth by the Kaylon, a race of artificial beings that nearly wiped out my universe organic life. The war ended about a couple of weeks ago. But..." her voice faltered slightly, "...I lost a friend during surprise attack. More than a friend, actually. If I had the chance to tell her how I felt... she might still be alive. But the escape pod controls malfunctioned, and I was helpless to save her."
Carter could see the pain behind her words. This was not just a career story; it was a deeply personal tragedy. Ry'ac, standing silently beside them, shifted slightly, casting a glance toward Charlotte. Even as a battle-hardened Jaffa warrior, he had developed a respect for the human standing before them.
"But anyway," Charlotte continued, shaking off the weight of her emotions, "I spent most of my time in a lab on Union Central, working in astrometric research. I thought I could bury myself in my work, that it would help me forget. But eventually, my commanding officer transferred me to the Orville and… well, demoted me to Ensign."
Carter raised an eyebrow at that, clearly perplexed. "Demoted? That doesn't make much sense. From what you tell me, you're one of the brightest minds in your field. Why would they demote you?"
Charlotte shrugged, offering a dry laugh. "I wish I knew, Sam. Maybe they thought I was too emotionally compromised to take on more responsibility. Or maybe they didn't know how to handle someone with my… experience. Either way, I was stuck in a lower rank, even though my skill set was still in high demand."
Carter crossed her arms and leaned slightly forward. "And how did you end up here? In this universe?"
Charlotte sighed, knowing she had to tell the full truth. "I created a weapon," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "A weapon capable of destroying entire solar systems of machines. The Planetary Union was losing the war, and we were desperate. We needed something to turn the tide against the Kaylon. I designed the weapon, powered by a quantum core, and when we tested it, it worked. We wiped out an entire Kaylon-controlled system."
The admission hung in the air, heavy and palpable. Carter's face remained impassive, but her mind raced at the implications.
"And what happened next?" Carter asked, her tone sharp but not accusatory.
"The Union Admiralty wanted to end the war peacefully," Charlotte continued, her voice now tinged with bitterness. "They scrapped the weapon, hid it away, and signed a peace treaty with the Kaylon. I didn't agree with it. Not after what they did—what they took from me. But the Orville had a Kaylon crewmember, Isaac. Over time, I came to realize that he wasn't like the others. He helped us win the war. He became... a friend of sorts. It made me question my hatred."
Carter nodded thoughtfully, seeing the layers of conflict within Charlotte. "And then?"
"After the peace treaty was signed, the Union thought the threat was over. But they were wrong. A traitor within the Union stole the plans for the weapon I created. They sold it to the Moclan and the Krill."
Carter's eyes narrowed. "The Moclan and the Krill? Who are they?"
"The Moclan were once members of the Planetary Union," Charlotte explained. "They're a male-dominated species, to the point where any females born are forcibly transitioned into males. It caused friction with the Union, and they eventually broke off after a series of disagreements."
"And the Krill?" Ry'ac interjected, his voice low and gravelly.
"The Krill are a reptilian species, cold and calculating. They live in near-constant darkness and have a deep-seated belief system that puts them at odds with other species. In a lot of ways, they're like vampires—driven by a desire to dominate and survive at all costs. We've been in a cold war with them for years."
Carter exchanged a glance with Ry'ac, the stakes becoming clearer by the second. "So the Moclan and the Krill joined forces and took your weapon?" Carter asked, the implications weighing heavily in her voice.
"Yes," Charlotte confirmed. "Once we found out about the betrayal, the Union assembled a fleet—alongside the Kaylon, believe it or not—and launched a strike on the planet where they were developing the weapon. They activated it before we could stop them. It was out of control, and the only way to shut it down was to overload the system. I… I did what I had to, but in the process, I found myself here. In this universe."
There was a long pause as Carter took everything in. The Orville visible outside the viewport.
"After all of that," Carter said softly, her voice filled with both admiration and understanding, "what do you want to do now?"
Charlotte hesitated, unsure of what the future held for her. She had been so focused on survival, on stopping the weapon, that she hadn't considered the next steps. "I'm not sure," she admitted. "I haven't thought beyond that."
Carter smiled gently, uncrossing her arms and stepping forward. "Well, I might have a solution for you. I oversee the Ministry of Science here. I am forming a new agency—Strategic, Tactical Astrometric and Research, or STAR for short. I need someone who understands the complexities of interdimensional threats, quantum anomalies, and advanced warfare technology. I think you'd be the perfect fit as the program's director."
Charlotte blinked, surprised. "Director?"
"Yes," Carter said, her smile widening slightly. "You've seen things most people can't even begin to comprehend. You've been through hell, and you've come out the other side stronger for it. We need someone like you to lead this initiative."
Ry'ac, who had remained silent for much of the conversation, stepped forward and nodded. "You have the strength of a warrior, Charlotte Burke. You've fought not only enemies but your own doubts. That makes you worthy of this honor."
Charlotte looked between them, her mind racing. This was more than she had ever expected. After all the losses, all the mistakes, all the battles—here was a chance for redemption. A chance to make a real difference.
"I don't know what to say," Charlotte admitted, her voice shaky.
"Just say yes," Carter replied, her smile warm and encouraging.
Charlotte felt a surge of hope, something she hadn't felt in a long time. "Yes," she said finally, her voice firm. "I'll do it."
Carter extended her hand once more, and Charlotte shook it, this time with a newfound sense of purpose.
"Welcome aboard," Carter said, her tone filled with quiet pride.
Charlotte glanced out the viewport one last time at the red planet below and the busy flurry of activity surrounding the Orville. She had found her way into this universe by accident, but now, she had a new mission, a new purpose. And for the first time in a long while, she felt ready to face whatever came next.
As the meeting concluded, Carter gestured toward the door. "Let's take a tour of the Orville. I think you'll find it quite familiar, though this version may have a few surprises for you."
TAU'RI FEDERATION COLONY: NEW HORIZONS
VALDEZ SECTOR, GALAXY 112
2360
New Horizon. A name befitting a planet that promised so much to the Federation. The first colony established in Galaxy 112, rich with a nitrogen-hydrogen atmosphere that humans could breathe without filters. The air is crisp, the skies clear, and the land untouched by any intelligent life, a perfect world for the expansion of the Tau'ri Federation. But on this day, the calm is deceiving.
Gunnery Sergeant Charlotte Burke stood on a hilltop overlooking the newly established Federation colony, her onyx armor glistening under the planet's pale sun. Developed by Aldrin labs, the armor is a state of the art. It's light design offered her full mobility, and its adaptive cloaking system blended her silhouette into the environment at will. She is a shadow among the trees. The helmet, normally retracted at the base of her collar, could deploy with just a thought, offering seamless protection.
She peered through her holo-binoculars, scanning the colony below. In the town square stood the brand-new Stargate, freshly installed by the engineering team, it's glyphs gleaming. It is a symbol of the Federation progress. Above, Naglfar and Viper squadrons flew in tight V formations. patrols to ensure the skies stayed clear. For a moment, the scene felt surreal, paradise in a new galaxy.
"Admiring the view?" A famillar voice asked
A smile crept onto Charlotte's face as she turns off the binocular by tapping a small circular object at her temple. She didn't need tp see the source of the voice to know who it is.
"The only view I admire is you." She replied, spinning around to face Colonel Anakin John Sheppard. She leapt into his arms, draping over his broad shoulders. Her lips brush his cheek before finding his mouth. "I love you Anakin."
He returned her kiss softly, his strong arms tightening around her. "The Orville did a full sensor sweep of the planet," he stated, his voice slightly muffled as they kissed. "No signs of the intelligent life. Just untouched wilderness and some of the most beautiful waterfalls I've ever seen."
"We could make a home here," Charlotte murmurs, resting her had against his chest. For a moment, the idea is blissful. a life free from war, from duty. Just them and this untainted world.
"That's why we're here. TO build a future..."
But something caught Charlotte's eyes, cutting her thought mid-sentence. A dark cloud, heavy and unnatural, is descending from the sky. She pointed behind Anakin, her voice urgently trying to tell her husband. "Anakin, look."
He turned, his face hardening as he watches the cloud split open, revealing the unmistakable shape of the ship. What the hell..." he tapped the collar of his armor, and with sharp hiss, his helmet encased his head. His voice came through the comm system. "Colonel Anakin John Sheppard to Captain Mercier, Come in."
A moment later, the reply crackled over the channel. "Go ahead, Colonel."
"Are your sensors picking up a ship?" It's entering New Horizons' atmosphere."
There is a pause. "Negative, Colonel. we've got nothing on the scope."
"Well, it's here, and it looks like a Berserker drone warship."
The Comms fell silent. Then Captain Mercier's voice returned, but now it is laced with panic. "How the hell did they find us? Protect the colonist as best you can, Sheppard...we're sending reinforcements, ETA..."
The Transmission disintegrated into static. Sheppard cursed under his breath. The Berserker warship is jamming their communications. They'd done this before. They attacked, isolates their targets, and cut off an chance of escape or reinforcement. It had been over two centuries since the Federation's last encounter with Berserker drones, and they were just as deadly now as they were then.
The warship released it's payload: a swarm of Berserker drones, sleek and fast, diving towards the colony below. Charlotte's heart clenches as the drones tore through the sky, heading straight for the Stargate.
"NO!" She shouted, but it was too late. The first wave of drones reached the Stargate, their weapons flaring. In seconds, the iconic structure exploded in a ball of plasma and shrapnel, taking the only means of evacuation with it.
Anakin tapped his comm again, barking orders. "Naglfar 1, Viper 2, open fire! Take out that swarm!"
Missiles streaks down from the sky, obliterating part of the drone swarm, but more kept coming, relentless as ever. Charlotte turns to Anakin.
"We need to get down there. Now!"
He nodded. Together, they activated their armor's propulsion systems, small thrusters on their boots igniting as they leapt off the cliffside. The descent is quick and controlled. Charlotte could feel the wind rushing against her armor as her HUD lit up with a targeting data. Below them, the colony is in chaos. Buildings were ablaze, drones weaving through the streets, firing indiscriminately at anything that moves.
Charlotte pulled her sniper rifle form her back. The weapon magnetically detaching from it's mount. The sleek barrel gleams in the light as she aim down her scope. The moment her boots touches the ground, she fires. The energy bolt sliced through the air and struck one of the drones in dive. sending it crashing to the ground in a fiery explosion.
"Good shot!" Anakin calls, already in the thick of the battle, his plasma rifle cutting through the drone's forces like a hot knife through butter. He dashes between cover, taking out drones with precision shots while staying clear of their return fire.
Charlotte moved to higher ground; her eyes sharp as she picked off drones from a distance. Her sniper rifle hums with each shot, the energy bolt leaving trails of light their wake. Each shot is a kill. She had no time for anything less.
Captain Mercier, Come in!" Anakin tries again, his voice strained though the comms. Nothing but static. The Berserker warship still have them isolated.
A group of drones urged toward Anakin, their weapons trained on him.
"ANAKIN!" Charlotte shouted into her comm, her fingers squeeze the trigger, taking out the lead drone, but the others were closing in too fast.
Anakin didn't flinch. As the drones descended on him, he activates the plasma grenade on his belt and threw it into their midst. The explosion lit up the battlefield sending drones parts flying in all directions.
"Nice timing!" he shouted back at Charlotte, who is already reloading for her next shot.
The colony is burning, but they weren't out of the fight yet. Charlotte scans the horizon. The Berserker warship hovered ominously over the colony, its drones still pouring from it's hangers. If they didn't take it out soon, there wouldn't be a colony left to save.
Sheppard slid into cover beside her, his armor scorched but intact and breathing heavily. "We need to take out that warship."
"I can give us a clear shot." Charlotte said, her eyes narrowing as she calculated the warship's trajectory. "But we'll need to get close."
Anakin gritted these teeth. "Alright. We hit it hard and fast. No time to waste."
Together, they sprinted toward the center of the colony, dodging debris and taking out drones as they went. The warship loomed larger and larger, it's weapon's system lighting up the battlefield in violent bursts.
"Viper 2, focus fire on the warship!" Anakin ordered over the comm, hoping the jamming is weak enough for the signal to get through. Miraculously, Viper 2 and Naglfar 1 responded. A fresh wave of missiles streaks across the sky, slamming into the warship's hull. Explosions ripples along it's side, but it is still in the fight.
Charlotte adjusted her sniper rifle, switching to high energy rounds reserved for armored targets. "I'll take the shot," she said. "Just give me a clear line of sight."
"Anakin nodded with her request. "I'll cover you."
As Charlotte knelt down and took aim, Anakin rushed forward, drawing the attention of the drones. Plasma fire erupted around him, but his armor's shield systems held, deflecting the worst of the blasts. He moved with the precision of a seasoned warrior, his rifle never missing a target. As she breath steadied, her finger hovering over the trigger. She aimed for the warship's central power core, just visible through a breach in the hull. The seconds stretch's out as she waited for the perfect moment.
"Come on, come on..." She muttered under her breath.
Then, in the span of a heartbeat, the warship turned, exposing it's core. Charlotte fired. The high energy bolt streaked across the battlefield, striking the core dead center. For a moment, nothing happened. Then the warship erupted in a massive explosion, pieces of it's hull raining down like burning meteors.
The remaining drones, suddenly without direction, their programming unable to compensate for the loss of the warship. Anakin rejoined Charlotte, his breathing ragged but triumphant.
"You did it." he said, pulling off his helmet.
"We did it." She corrected, a weary smile on her face.
Captain Mercier voice crackled over the comms, breaking through the static just as the debris from warship rained down.
"Sorry to kill the mood, but the Orville did it." Mercier's voice is laced with amusement. "You can thank our bombardment for the firework display."
Charlotte blinked, the adrenaline still rushing through her veins as she holsters her sniper rifle. Her chest rose and fell rapidly from the exertion, and for a moment, the relief that the warship is gone.
Anakin shot her a sidelong glance, shaking his head with a wry smile as he tapped his comm. "Sure thing Captain. But we softened them up for you."
"I don't doubt that," Mercier replied with a chuckle. "You did good work down there. We'll beam down more troops to help mop up."
Charlotte took a deep breath, slowly retracting her helmet. Her blond hair fell loose around her shoulders as she turns to face Anakin, who is smiling and grinning as he ran his hand through his helmet matted hair.
TFS Avalon - Long Range Recon Ship
Unknown Galaxy
Present Day
Charlotte woke with a sharp inhale, her chest rising as if she'd just surfaced from deep water. Her body is tense, her heart racing from the vivid memory of the battle that had replayed in her mind like it had just happened. She lay still for a moment, feeling the cold sheets beside her. Slowly, she reached out with her left arm, her fingers brushing the empty space next to her. It's always empty now.
Her hand hovered there for a second, almost as if she expected to feel him, half-hoping he might be there again, like he used to be. But the emptiness is real. She exhaled softly, rolling onto her side, her eyes landing on the dresser next to her bed.
There it is, the picture that held so much happiness and pain in a single frame.
Her gaze lingered on the photo of her and Anakin, taken on their wedding day aboard the Orville. They were both dressed in their uniforms, but their faces were bright with joy, love radiating from them as they held each other close. His arm is around her waist, and she is looking up at him, her eyes filled with the kind of happiness she hadn't felt in what seemed like an eternity.
The smile on his face in the picture was seared into her mind—a smile that had once made her feel invincible. But now, that smile was only a ghost, a haunting reminder of everything she'd lost. She lifted the photo frame, running her thumb gently over the glass, as if she could reach through and touch him one more time.
A tear slipped down her cheek before she could stop it. She quickly wiped it away with the back of her hand, trying to regain her composure. Gunnery Sergeant Charlotte Burke didn't cry. Not anymore. Not after everything.
She sat up slowly, the weight of her memories pressing down on her like gravity itself. The familiar ache in her chest returned, the one that had been with her ever since that fateful day—the day she lost him.
Her mind drifted back to the battle on New Horizons, the way they'd fought side by side, how they had trusted each other completely in the chaos of war. They had been a team in every sense of the word, always knowing where the other was, always having each other's backs. And then… he is gone.
The Berserker drone warship, the destruction, the screaming of the colonists as they ran for shelter—Charlotte had lived through it all. But it was the moment when she realized Anakin wasn't coming back that truly shattered her. She hadn't even had time to say goodbye. One second he is there, fighting alongside her, and the next, he was just… gone.
Now, the nights were the hardest. When she closed her eyes, she could still feel his presence, hear his voice. But when she opened them, she was alone.
The empty bed beside her was a constant reminder of the life they had planned together—a life that had been taken from them too soon.
She placed the picture frame back on the dresser, her hand lingering for a moment before she pulled it away. With a deep breath, she pushed herself out of bed, her feet touching the cold floor. She stared out the window of her quarters on the Avalon, the stars outside drifting slowly past in the quiet of space. Somewhere out there, they were still fighting the Berserkers, still pushing back against the darkness.
For him.