A Journey's End
Posted on Aug 23, 2014 @ 12:48am by Captain Siobhan Reardon & Thomas Varn
Edited on on Aug 23, 2014 @ 12:49am
Mission: The Tangled Webs We Weave
(“A Journey’s End”)
(Continued from “Future Shock”)
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Location: USS GRANT
Scene: Bridge
Stardate: [2.14]0822.2205
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“Well lads, its time that we get this bucket of bolts and cop webbs back to where she belongs,” Captain Sylvester “Sly” Kinderman called out looking to his senior officers.
It had been an extraordinary journey and one like no other had seen. These men and women had some how managed through the main portion of their starfleet careers to remain with one another, denying post after post only to wind up on an outdated ship that was now to be mothballed as most of them were to either stand down or find something else to do. While it was true that the younger portion of the crew were ready to go onto bigger and “better” ships; but, still there was nothing more thrilling, for the senior officers, than waking up each day to a new surprise.
“Helm lay in a course for…” executive officer Mariann Goodspeed called out only to be stopped by the operations officer.
Harold Kisinger cleared his throat before speaking, “begging your pardon Commander; but, we are receiving a message from Starfleet, message only.”
Waving her hand Mariann sat down at her station, “well read it a loud man.”
“By order of Starfleet Command, U.S.S. GRANT is to hereby report to the Armagosa system to complete rendezvous with U.S.S. PANDORA in accordance with passenger transfer,” Kisinger stated watching as the helm laid in the course, “the details of our guest are being transferred to your ready room Captain.”
Standing to his feet and clapping his hand once the Captain nodded, “well then, let us see who’s coming for dinner. Mari you are with me.”
As the two entered the spartan type ready room Mari and Captain Kinderman moved to their respective locations before looking over the data, “hmm, seems as if someone has had a long distinguished career.”
“What do you say we set up a party for our return home,” Sly stated smiling sitting back in his chair.
Nodding Mari smiled before tapping her leg, “Do ye believe there be trouble?”
Sly’s eyes widened and nodded, “Aye.”
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Location: USS PANDORA
Scene: Reardon’s Quarters
“It’s not fair! It feels like we just *got* here.” Drey was frustrated, and rightfully so. It was the same stubborn frustration that filled many of his mother’s thoughts. But by the time Siobhan had left Captain Layne’s side to prepare for the trip home, she had managed to surrender to the process and the orders that had generated it.
“It’s just another part of Starfleet,” she said soothingly. “Following orders from one’s superiors. Even if you don’t agree with them.”
“What happened to challenging what you feel is wrong? Following orders blindly causes as many problems, if not more, as not following the chain of command.”
Sio sighed. She wished Xana were here; perhaps she would be able to explain the political strings that were now at play on behalf of the Chief of Staff. Then again, she might not be in the loop anymore now that she had resigned her position. However, Sio didn’t need Xana’s counsel to know that Edgerton had an agenda that had something to do with getting Xana out of the way. Xana’s kids had been kidnapped by a man that reported to him. And now he had managed a reversal of an assignment that Xana had great influence in. Either event in and of itself may not have been that important, but together it demonstrated a pattern. Whatever Sio was on the fringe of was merely incidental to her, but of great import to Edgerton. “Sometimes you have to pick your battles.”
“You’re backing down?”
“These orders were *not* personal. They were meant to serve a purpose, but I don’t know what that purpose is. If and when I choose to challenge them, it will be because I know what I am challenging… right now I don’t. There’s a big picture here, but I’m just not seeing it.”
“Will you be able to see it when we get home?” Drey asked.
“I don’t know,” Sio admitted. “But I’m willing to find out.”
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Scene: U.S.S GRANT
Location: Transporter Room
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The familiar blue hue filled the room as Sio, along with a pale green youth who was presumably her son, materialized aboard the pad onto the Akula Mark Two vessel. Stepping up placing his foot on the step of the transporter pad Sly smiled before winking with his one visible eye. Removing a tricone with a red feather from his head bowing down and holding a saber with his other free hand, “arr, me lady we be very pleased to make your acquaintance aboard our modest vessel.”
Stepping down slowly Sio looked from Sly to the transporter chief back to Sly then to her son. Both officer were dressed in period clothing that matched a pirate more than anything that Starfleet would condone as a uniform. Holding his hand out Sly winked again before assisting Sio from the padd to the transporter room floor.
“What *is* this?” Drey whispered as he followed his mother.
“Our ride home,” was the only way she knew how to answer as she took in the unfamiliar surroundings. If she remembered her ship classes correctly, the Mark Two was supposed to have been placed in reserve in 2400; she felt like she was looking inside a piece of history. A spotlessly well-preserved piece of history. Needless to say, this was no ordinary transport vessel. The crew seemed equally... unique.
“If you’ll be forgiven me, my lady I have arranged for you to speak with someone concerning your attire. They be some of the finest seamstresses this side of the engine room,” Sly stated motioning with a hand, “at least they think so.”
“But what’s wrong with-” she began to ask, then realized she and Drey were in the minority. “As you desire, Captain,” she said with a small curtsy.
“Mom,” Drey said under his breath. “*What* are you doing?”
Kinderman continued. “It’s not often we have dignitaries aboard, and ye will be treated as such for the duration of your stay. A dinner will be held this evening and proper dress is required. Ship rules.”
“Relax, Drey,” an amused Siobhan said quietly. She then turned to the Captain. “If you please, we would like the chance to rest up before tonight’s events.”
“Yes, yes, of course,” Sly responded with a flourish, motioning one of the underlings to escort their charges. “You will find your lodging above satisfactory, I assure you.”
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Location: Ambassadorial Quarters
Time Index: One Hour Later
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Three sisters stood there looking around at the quarters waiting for their model to emerge from her room casually discussing the attire of her son that had yet to change as well. Shaking their heads the three were in agreement that this just would not do. Turning looking at the boy the sisters began to talk before being interrupted by Sio from the next room, “you’ll have to forgive me; but, how do three Cardassians end up on this ship? Um, again I’m sorry could you tell me your names one more time.”
Smiling the Cardassian women started speaking a little louder than normal so Sio could here, “we met the Captain and decided to come aboard. At the time, there weren’t any needs for what we do; but, as the Captain began to get closer and closer to heading back to Spacedock we were employed I guess you can say. Oh, yes our names are a bit peculiar for Cardassians; but, they are Cloh'nee, Curt'neh, and Ca’him although most people just call us the Cardassians or the Cardassian sisters.”
Cloh’nee moved closer to the bedroom area before calling in, “please let us know if the dresses that we picked and replicated do not suit your fancy and there are outfits there as well for your son if you’d care to weigh in on those.”
Siobhan emerged wearing one of the many items that had been prepared for her. It was a royal blue gown trimmed in sillver brocade. The bodice eased to a point at the waistline, where it met with a gathered skirt. The three sisters oohed and aahed, the youngest of them also making a clicking noise of approval with her tongue.
“Lovely,” Cloh’nee said, reaching out to smooth a piece of fabric on one of the sleeves. “Does it meet your expectations, milady?”
“It’s beautiful,” Sio admitted. “But the sleeves are a smidge too- poofy?” I don’t think I could manage dinner without dragging them through the plate.” As she demonstrated the overly wide sweep of material, she handed Drey an outfit she had carried in from the other room. “Here, this is yours.”
“Really, Mom?” he asked with disbelief. It was a plain ecru muslin shirt, dark brown breeches, oxblood boots, and a leather vest almost the same color as the boots, trimmed out in hunter green suede.
“There’s an old saying that says ‘when in Rome’ and we’re following it. Try to enjoy yourself,” she added with a kind firmness.
Drey hung his head with teenage angst, brown hair falling in his face. “I don’t see a plank on this ship,” he muttered, but went to try the clothes on anyway, per his mother’s wishes.
Ca’him examined the dress more closely. “We could completely redo the sleeve to a simple fitted three quarter length, and add lace near the shoulder to soften the modern tailoring and help it blend with the rest of the frock.”
Curt’nee moved Sio’s copper braid out of the way as she inspected where the sleeves met the top of the gown. “What are you going to do with your hair? A braid is not what I had envisioned,” she said with a sunny tone.
“Gathered to the side in curls with some tortoiseshell and jewelled combs,” the redhead responded, her theatrical side already giving it some thought. “That would be in keeping with the style of the day.”
“Splendid, splendid,” Cloh’nee said. “Did you like the other dresses equally well?”
“Absolutely,” Sio said, “I could barely keep up with the trousseau in there, it’s enough for at least a week… maybe two. Is that how long the trip will take?” she inquired, fishing for more information.
The three sisters giggled, nearly in unison, as if that was the most ridiculous question they had ever heard.. “We don’t trouble ourselves with the details, milady, only the fashion,” The oldest sister added.
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Location: Dining Hall
Time Index: One Hour Later
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Looking around Sylvester nodded at the dining area and the setup before sighing and stretching his arms. It was true that the randomness that the crew had begun to show was beginning to come to the point of being, tiresome; but, Sylvester wanted one last go around before hanging it all up and being stuck to one place. The man had begun to notice more salt than pepper in his beard and combed back hair; but, this was not going to stop him until Starfleet issued an order for him to return for the ship to be decommissioned and her senior staff to stand down.
Having been a Captain for the most of his later life Sylvester did not know who this Edgerton was; but, he knew that he had struck down his career a bit too soon, according to Sylvester. Shaking off the sadness Sylvester smiled as his guests arrived with a Cardassian trio, whom he did not care much for the company of.
“Aye, ye be here finally,” he stated raising a glass of what looked to be romulan ale, “let the festivities begin!”
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Location: Dinning Hall -> Captain’s Ready Room
Time Index: Two Hours Later
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The party continued for what seemed to be ages to the seasoned crew; but, little by little each of them left the room leaving the Captain looking out the window by himself. Taking a deep breath before turning to the room as it was being cleaned Sly shook his head before removing his hat. Slowly walking out of the room Sly let his hands rub across the bulkheads as he moved down the corridors slowly taking in each step.
“Well, old girl its nearly time,” Sly stated stepping into a turbolift, “we will both be put out to pasture and forgotten.”
As the lift slowly came to a stop Sly stepped out causing the late shift to come to attention on the bridge. Raising his hand Sly smiled and motioned for them to all go back to their duties before sliding into the ready room. Moving across the room Sly slowly placed the hat upon a hat stand that was on a table nearby before sitting down and taking a padd in his hand. Shaking his head Sly sighed before reading aloud the last order that he would ever receive.
“To Captain Sylvester Kinderman, USS GRANT from Starfleet Command. You and your senior staff are hereby ordered to return to Earth Spacedock and stand down upon which time the USS GRANT will be decommissioned and her remaining crew reassigned,” he stated tossing the padd across the desk.
[[Bridge to Captain Kinderman,]] a young voice came across the comm system causing Sly to look up.
“Go ahead,” he stated shifting in his chair.
[[Sir, we have an incoming vessel at warp, it’s a Federation ship sir,]] the young officer stated waiting for a reply, [[and are being hailed.]]
Sighing Sly stood before exiting his ready room and entering the bridge. Walking passed the young officer and standing in front of his chair he motioned, “on screen.”
As the screen materialized a young figures face appeared as Sylvester sighed before sitting down in his chair, “so they sent you did they?”
Nodding the young man sat forward in his chair, {{aye, that they did and you best be glad they did or this would be worse.}}
Waiving his hand Sly laughed softly, “how much worse could it get after what they are doing?”
{{You could be stripped of rank, discharged, and never allowed to even look at another ship,}} the young man stated before rubbing his brow, {{da, listen you need to go home it’s time.}}
“Time?! Time, I have years left in me, they are forcing me out,” Sylvester shouted before settling back into his chair, “and you know it.”
{{Nothing can be done, its an order from the higher ups,}} the young man stated.
“William, too many times there have been bad choices made because of orders given when someone says I was just following orders,” Sylvester stated sighing and nodding, “but, I will acquiesce to your request and return to Spacedock.”
{{We are to escort you,}} William stated before sitting back, {{we await your signal.}}
With that the screen switched to black as Sylvester sighed, “helm set a course for Earth Spacedock, warp three. Signal William’s ship and engage.”
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Location: Ambassadorial Quarters
Time Index: Three Hours Later
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The door to the room opened and Sly smiled at Sio before bowing his head slightly as if tipping a hat, “just wanted to inform you that we will be arriving at Spacedock in ten minutes. Transporter room two has been informed to await your arrival and transport you to where ever it is you need to go.”
*So soon?* “Thank you, my good man,” she said to Captain Kinderman, slapping him on the shoulder with a soft touch. She stepped into the corridor, wanting a few more moments with the would-be pirate. “I wanted to thank you for a lovely evening.”
“You grace us with your presence,” Sly said, a bit of the swashbuckling gentleman still there despite it being so close to the end. “What awaits ye on Earth?”
She shook her head as she walked, a tumble of russet curls moving over her right shoulder and causing a soft swish of material in the skirt of her blue dress. “Don’t know. Right now I feel like I may not see shipbound duty for quite a while. At least if the powers that be at the Federation Council have their way.”
Rules and red tape. The two things he disliked the most. Sly grasped her hand and kissed it gallantly. “If an old sea dog like me can make it this long, dear heart, I know there’s more in store for you. Trust me.”
Moved by his kind words, Siobhan touched his face and his scruffy beard. “You are such a sweet man, and yes, I promise I won’t tell anyone, to keep your reputation intact. But I need to ask for one small favor.”
“Anything,” he answered without hesitation.
“Stall them for about thirty minutes after we dock- I need to get back into regulation uniform.” She winked and quickly walked back into the guest quarters.
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NRPG: TAH DAH!
Joint Post by!
Susan Ledbetter
Captain Siobhan Reardon
Currently Unassigned
&
Justin K. Owens
Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Varn
Science Officer
Starfleet
