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Moving on (Fan-Fic - Sequel to Trials of Blood and Fire)
ryan218
Member Posts: 36,106 Arc User
Author's Notes: The following is the first part of an immediate sequel to my previous fic; 'Trials of Blood and Fire'. I seriously recommend reading that, as this heavily relies upon that fic for context.
Enjoy!
Stardate: 87988.9. 6 days after the rescue of Commander Ryan Allington. Federation Starbase Deep Space Nine.
Commander Marilla ‘Daya’ Saph walks along the balcony of the third level of Quark’s bar towards one of the holosuites, before taking a deep breath and tapping on the doorchime. “Can I come in?” She waits, with no response, before taking a data rod out of her pocket, given to her by security at the recommendation of the station’s psychiatric staff, inserting it into one of the access ports as the doors slide open.
She steps across the threshold, being greeted by the scene of an Old Earth marine vessel, from roughly the mid 20th-Century. The vessel has a light green deck and seems approximately the size of a frigate, with the deck unusually deserted as the ship floats across the ocean, a calm breeze gusting across the sea. There are cylindrical objects lined up on racks dipping towards the stern of the ship as well as some kind of large mortar just below the bridge and behind an AA emplacement. As Daya walks around the superstructure, she sees Ryan standing at the bow of the ship, apparently lost in thought, gripping onto his cane with his free hand holding the railing.
Daya walks forward, stopping next to him on his right, looking at him. “Doctor Savril said I’d find you here.” Ryan remains silent, only smiling. “There’s a ship leaving for Bajor in an hour. I’ve heard there’s a nice, quiet spot in the Kendra Valley. Peaceful, calm...” She reaches over to the railing and takes his hand, which he responds to by looking at her, smiling. “I also spoke to a friend of mine in the Vedek Assembly and he’s invited you to visit the Dakeen Monastery.”
“I know what you’re trying to do, Daya.” Ryan speaks softly, kissing her gently on the cheek. “Thank you, but we both know that just being somewhere quiet isn’t going to help.”
Daya furrows her brow in irritation – she didn’t like being condescended to and Ryan knew it. “Well, if quiet isn’t going to help, then what are you doing here?”
“I just...” Ryan sighs, leaning forwards against the railing. “I just wanted to be alone. No doctors, no psychiatrists, no one asking how I feel...” He looks around, breathing in the artificial air, seeming to exhale with dissatisfaction. “Just me, my mind, and the waves.”
Daya holds his arm. “Doctor Savril suggested that you might appreciate a trip down to Bajor... get you planetside for a change.”
“He also suggested that me using this cane was a result of subconscious trauma.” He looks over at Daya again. “See why I hate psychiatrists?”
Daya nods. “What if I said I want you to come to Bajor with me?” She leans her body against the railings to put herself between them and Ryan so he had to look at her. “Just the two of us.”
Ryan smiles after a few seconds. “I’d like that.”
Daya hums to herself. “I thought you might.” She takes his hand again. “I already spoke to Vedek Karan; he’s arranged a place for us just outside Dakeen. Apparently, it’s near the coast. With a sea view.”
“Apparently?” Ryan looks at her suspiciously.
“I may have mentioned off-hand that you were raised in a maritime city.” Daya smiles as she leads him towards the doors.
***
U.S.S. Victorious, Docked at Deep Space Nine.
“Did I ever mention how much I hate refits?” Dannover hands Carter a PADD as the pair walk through the corridors of the Ambassador-Class Starship, avoiding the maintenance crews.
“Once or twice.” Carter says ironically, looking over the PADD. “So a 5-day repair job has turned into a 3-month full-system overhaul?”
“With full, controlled, trials of every single system before we can even go to space trials.” She stops by her quarters. “Including the doorchimes.”
Carter facepalms, sighing heavily. “Someone in the SCE has gone mad...”
“That would be my guess, sir.”
“Alright, I’ll talk to Captain Kurland.”
“Good luck. They deactivated comms an hour ago.” Dannover starts walking towards the turbolift.
***
Several hours later, Bajor. Kendra Province, Dakeen Monastery.
Ryan and Daya walk along the gravel path leading to the monastery from a nearby village, wearing civilian clothes, as the Bajoran Sun shines down on them, glistening off of the bronze-coloured domes in the distance indicating the roofs of several of the monastery’s buildings – the only parts of the monastery visible so far. Ryan is wearing a white cap with a visor shielding his eyes from the sun as well as a white T-shirt and light grey trousers, while Daya wears an ocean blue vest and black shorts, with a visor to shield her own eyes.
As they trek through the valley, Ryan swaps his duffel bag across shoulders. “How much further?”
“Karan said he’d send a hopper to meet us once we reached the Hapa Ridge.” Daya keeps pace with him.
“Okay, where’s that?” Ryan glances over at her.
“Good question.” Daya smiles at him.
“You haven’t got the faintest idea, have you?”
“Nope!” She laughs a little at him.
Ryan shakes his head before laughing, “You never were much of a navigator, Daya.” His laughter intensifies when she gives him a playful shove.
“It’s not like you can get lost in a valley. We just keep heading this way until we see a Hopper. Easy.”
“You said that about the Kobayashi Maru as well.” Ryan gives her a chiding smile.
Daya smiles back. “It is. All you have to do is get yourself killed.”
“I hate you.”
“No you don’t.” She quickly kisses him on the cheek as they come to a stop, looking at each other, before Daya presses her lips to his and they share a long, intimate kiss.
Suddenly, they hear the sound of someone clearing his throat, breaking their kiss to see a middle-aged Bajoran wearing red robes indicative of a monk, who then asks, “Commanders Saph and Allington?”
“Yes?”
“Vedek Karan Nidon sent me to take you to your accommodations. He will meet you and take you to the monastery from there.” He begins leading them up a side path along the valley wall towards a hopper waiting at the ridgeline.
End of Part One
Enjoy!
Star Trek: Victorious – Moving on (Sequel to ‘Trials of Blood and Fire’)
Stardate: 87988.9. 6 days after the rescue of Commander Ryan Allington. Federation Starbase Deep Space Nine.
Commander Marilla ‘Daya’ Saph walks along the balcony of the third level of Quark’s bar towards one of the holosuites, before taking a deep breath and tapping on the doorchime. “Can I come in?” She waits, with no response, before taking a data rod out of her pocket, given to her by security at the recommendation of the station’s psychiatric staff, inserting it into one of the access ports as the doors slide open.
She steps across the threshold, being greeted by the scene of an Old Earth marine vessel, from roughly the mid 20th-Century. The vessel has a light green deck and seems approximately the size of a frigate, with the deck unusually deserted as the ship floats across the ocean, a calm breeze gusting across the sea. There are cylindrical objects lined up on racks dipping towards the stern of the ship as well as some kind of large mortar just below the bridge and behind an AA emplacement. As Daya walks around the superstructure, she sees Ryan standing at the bow of the ship, apparently lost in thought, gripping onto his cane with his free hand holding the railing.
Daya walks forward, stopping next to him on his right, looking at him. “Doctor Savril said I’d find you here.” Ryan remains silent, only smiling. “There’s a ship leaving for Bajor in an hour. I’ve heard there’s a nice, quiet spot in the Kendra Valley. Peaceful, calm...” She reaches over to the railing and takes his hand, which he responds to by looking at her, smiling. “I also spoke to a friend of mine in the Vedek Assembly and he’s invited you to visit the Dakeen Monastery.”
“I know what you’re trying to do, Daya.” Ryan speaks softly, kissing her gently on the cheek. “Thank you, but we both know that just being somewhere quiet isn’t going to help.”
Daya furrows her brow in irritation – she didn’t like being condescended to and Ryan knew it. “Well, if quiet isn’t going to help, then what are you doing here?”
“I just...” Ryan sighs, leaning forwards against the railing. “I just wanted to be alone. No doctors, no psychiatrists, no one asking how I feel...” He looks around, breathing in the artificial air, seeming to exhale with dissatisfaction. “Just me, my mind, and the waves.”
Daya holds his arm. “Doctor Savril suggested that you might appreciate a trip down to Bajor... get you planetside for a change.”
“He also suggested that me using this cane was a result of subconscious trauma.” He looks over at Daya again. “See why I hate psychiatrists?”
Daya nods. “What if I said I want you to come to Bajor with me?” She leans her body against the railings to put herself between them and Ryan so he had to look at her. “Just the two of us.”
Ryan smiles after a few seconds. “I’d like that.”
Daya hums to herself. “I thought you might.” She takes his hand again. “I already spoke to Vedek Karan; he’s arranged a place for us just outside Dakeen. Apparently, it’s near the coast. With a sea view.”
“Apparently?” Ryan looks at her suspiciously.
“I may have mentioned off-hand that you were raised in a maritime city.” Daya smiles as she leads him towards the doors.
***
U.S.S. Victorious, Docked at Deep Space Nine.
“Did I ever mention how much I hate refits?” Dannover hands Carter a PADD as the pair walk through the corridors of the Ambassador-Class Starship, avoiding the maintenance crews.
“Once or twice.” Carter says ironically, looking over the PADD. “So a 5-day repair job has turned into a 3-month full-system overhaul?”
“With full, controlled, trials of every single system before we can even go to space trials.” She stops by her quarters. “Including the doorchimes.”
Carter facepalms, sighing heavily. “Someone in the SCE has gone mad...”
“That would be my guess, sir.”
“Alright, I’ll talk to Captain Kurland.”
“Good luck. They deactivated comms an hour ago.” Dannover starts walking towards the turbolift.
***
Several hours later, Bajor. Kendra Province, Dakeen Monastery.
Ryan and Daya walk along the gravel path leading to the monastery from a nearby village, wearing civilian clothes, as the Bajoran Sun shines down on them, glistening off of the bronze-coloured domes in the distance indicating the roofs of several of the monastery’s buildings – the only parts of the monastery visible so far. Ryan is wearing a white cap with a visor shielding his eyes from the sun as well as a white T-shirt and light grey trousers, while Daya wears an ocean blue vest and black shorts, with a visor to shield her own eyes.
As they trek through the valley, Ryan swaps his duffel bag across shoulders. “How much further?”
“Karan said he’d send a hopper to meet us once we reached the Hapa Ridge.” Daya keeps pace with him.
“Okay, where’s that?” Ryan glances over at her.
“Good question.” Daya smiles at him.
“You haven’t got the faintest idea, have you?”
“Nope!” She laughs a little at him.
Ryan shakes his head before laughing, “You never were much of a navigator, Daya.” His laughter intensifies when she gives him a playful shove.
“It’s not like you can get lost in a valley. We just keep heading this way until we see a Hopper. Easy.”
“You said that about the Kobayashi Maru as well.” Ryan gives her a chiding smile.
Daya smiles back. “It is. All you have to do is get yourself killed.”
“I hate you.”
“No you don’t.” She quickly kisses him on the cheek as they come to a stop, looking at each other, before Daya presses her lips to his and they share a long, intimate kiss.
Suddenly, they hear the sound of someone clearing his throat, breaking their kiss to see a middle-aged Bajoran wearing red robes indicative of a monk, who then asks, “Commanders Saph and Allington?”
“Yes?”
“Vedek Karan Nidon sent me to take you to your accommodations. He will meet you and take you to the monastery from there.” He begins leading them up a side path along the valley wall towards a hopper waiting at the ridgeline.
End of Part One
Post edited by ryan218 on
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Comments
Anyway, I think you have a promising start here.
And that Savel may be an example of why Vulcans should not be counsellors. You inherently cannot do your job if you look down on emotional beings with a sense of superiority and a smug "I know better" attitude. In addition to everything else one must consider in a therapist-patient relationship, there should be trust, and by suggesting that Ryan was pulling a John Watson (BBC Sherlock version, and as we find out, Watson has a bit of an abnormal psychology in that he actually *seeks* out insane situations that would cause horrible effects to most people), when we know from your prior story that he was explicitly under doctor's orders to use the cane because of clear nervous system damage...yeah. Savel's both an idiot and arrogant at the same time.
I wonder if the Bajoran clergy will at least show some more understanding...maybe Daya has thought of that.
Sorry I can't comment much more than that since it's early on in the story, but I do look forward to seeing how it goes.
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Grand Master Thotok, son of Koloth, I.K.S. Sompek==Dahar Master Shanara, I.K.S. Balth'Quv
Admiral R'Tath V'Tirex, R.R.W. Dhael Glohha'enh==Commander Ta'eth Korval, R.R.W Hachae ch'Rhian==Admiral Vranuk, R.R.W Delevhas
In the real Navy, not every CO of a ship is an O-6.
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As gulberat says, not every CO is a Captain. As for the Victorious, she's basically been bought back into service after being decommissioned in the 2380s to fill out the ranks and serve as a testbed for new tech (hence why it's taken a year for Dannover to get the up-to-date tech manuals for it - underneath, she's no ordinary Ambassador-Class).
Trials of Blood and Fire
Moving On Parts 1-3 - Part 4
In Cold Blood
Member Access Denied Armada!
My forum single-issue of rage: Make the Proton Experimental Weapon go for subsystem targetting!
“You’re dropping your left arm.” Tala quickly ducks as Dannover throws a right jab at her. The pair usually spar once a week in the ship’s gym, and it usually goes the same way...
“I know.” Dannover blocks a middle kick from the Andorian and, after a few more exchanges, Tala catches a left hook from Dannover and tosses her over her shoulder and onto the mats.
“And that, kids, is why I’m chief of security.” Tala remarks chidingly as she helps Dannover up.
“One day, Lieutenant...” Dannover smiles as she picks up her uniform jacket from the ropes. “So, you’ve been working with our new helmsman. What do you think?”
“Heja?” Tala also picks up her jacket as she steps out of the ring. “Yeah, she’s a good pilot. From what I’ve seen, she’s definitely confident. Why do you ask?”
“I was told by Chief Hindersson that he has to scrub the deflector of stellar matter after that manoeuvre she pulled.” She smiles as she looks back. “You should have seen his face!”
***
Meanwhile, in Junior Officers’ Quarters, Ensign Heja Kalynn is kneeling on a crimson red mat with golden patterns sown into it as she slowly chants in Bajoran before a form of shrine of yellowish-golden metal with the symbol of Bajor in the centre and a small bowl of water to the side of it. Before she can finish her chant, the doorchime to her quarters rings out. Heja sighs, touching a couple of symbols on the shrine before standing up. “Come in.” The doors swiftly glide open as Alpha steps across the threshold, prompting Heja to stand at attention. “Lieutenant.”
“At ease, Ensign.” Alpha looks around, taking note of the shrine which appears to have been in use. “Have I disturbed your prayers?”
“No, sir. I’d... just finished.” Heja smiles weakly, hoping the android swallows the lie.
Alpha tilts his head to the side, before holding a PADD out to her. “I wish to go over the maintenance schedule for Shuttlecraft 3. Lieutenant Dannover suggested I run it by you first.”
“Right. I just finished a level 1 diagnostic on its systems yesterday.”
“For what purpose?”
“Well... I’ve been asked by the Bajoran Militia to teach some of their pilots Edon’s Sling...”
Alpha looks at her in puzzlement, “Are you not looking forward to seeing your homeworld?”
Heja is quiet for a moment. “I... didn’t exactly leave on the best terms, sir. My parents are both prylars and they felt I had no place with Starfleet.”
“Why?”
“They’re against Federation Membership. They feel it makes Bajor a target for another occupation. They’re also opposed to the war.”
Alpha nods, “That does seem logical.”
“I’m not saying I enjoy the war! I hate it!” She begins storming around the room, waving her arms around in frustration. “But if we’re being attacked and threatened, don’t we have the right to defend ourselves?! Besides, it’s not like the Celestial Temple hasn’t already made us a target! The Militia just can’t protect Bajor from the Dominion, True Way, Breen or even the Klingons!” She looks back at Alpha, face red after her tirade, before gasping as she realises she just went off on a tantrum in the presence of a superior officer, finishing only with a weak, “Sir.”
Alpha processes her statement before responding, “Perhaps you should discuss your differences with your parents. I have studied several texts on conflicts of opinion, and I have been left with the impression that discussing a subject you disagree on can help relieve tension when combined with commonalities.”
“Sir, you don’t understand. My parents are stubborn and have a pretty bad temper.”
“It seems that you have something in common. Maybe you could use this as the basis for reconciliation?”
Heja tries to stop herself from laughing, before nodding to Alpha. “Thank you sir. I’ll think about that.”
“I will prepare Shuttlecraft 4 for departure. Good day, Ensign.” Alpha nods the Heja and then walks out, leaving Heja to return to her prayers.
***
Bajor, Kendra Province. A small estate just east of the Dakeen Monastery.
Ryan and Daya are both escorted from the hopper as the monk who had bought them takes off again, moving towards the monastery, which can now be seen clearly over the hillside, with its bronze-like domes glimmering in the sunlight. The two then walk together towards the entrance to the main house, where an aged man wearing burgundy red robes and a hood distinctive of a Vedek waits for them, before stepping from the porch and holding out his arms to greet Daya. “Saph. It’s been too long!” He smiles as Daya takes his hands.
“Nidon. This is Commander Ryan Allington, from the Victorious.” Daya smiles and nods to Ryan.
“Vedek Karan. Thank you for your hospitality.” Ryan holds a hand out.
Karan reciprocates, shaking the hand gingerly, “The Dakeen Monastery is a place of healing, Commander, for both the body and the pagh. It is our honour to welcome you.”
Daya looks to Ryan. “Among Bajorans, the highest virtues are Faith, Humility and Charity.”
“Which we strive for in all things, old friend.” Karan nods to her before reaching towards Ryan’s ear. “May I?” Ryan looks at Daya briefly, before nodding in consent, prompting Karan to hold Ryan’s ear for a moment, eyes closed, then remove it. “Your pagh is strong, but is troubled. This may take some time.” He shows the two inside the house, spending an hour giving them a tour. The building is comprised of two floors, with 3 bedrooms – 1 double and two single – as well as a bathroom both upstairs and downstairs, 2 studies, a large lounge, wine cellar, a modest kitchen and a spare room for prayers. The staircase turns to the right at the corner of the house and is decorated with a plated banister. The windows of the house are large and all the bedrooms open up onto balconies with the windows and doors concealed with red draperies made from a silky felt-like material. He completes their tour at the bedroom. “It is getting late. If you both wish to get some rest, I’ll return after noon tomorrow to take you to the monastery.”
Daya smiles at him and nods, “Thank you Nidon. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
“May the Prophets guide you.” He nods to both of them before withdrawing as the two step inside the bedroom and close the large wooden door.
The Bedroom is about the size of a Senior Officer’s Quarters on the Victorious, with a large double bed draped in a soft velvet-covered red duvet and four pillows, stacked in pairs. Ryan drops his bag on the soft hazel-brown carpet before sitting in one of the luxurious armchairs in the corner of the room, next to the door onto the balcony, sighing with relief as he rests his can next to the chair, closing his eyes.
“Say it.” Daya smiles at him as she begins unpacking on the bed.
“Say what?”
“Say ‘You were right, Daya, this was a great idea. I’m sorry I ever doubted you. Can you ever forgive me?’” She smirks as she sees Ryan roll his eyes – or at least she would if he had his eyes open.
“Don’t push your luck.” He lets a smile cross his face, before sighing heavily as his expression drops into sombreness.
“This isn’t a problem, is it? Us being in the same room?”
“Why would it be? It’s not against regulations, even if we are the same rank.”
“I know, I was just checking. I mean, it’s not like back at the academy.”
Ryan opens his eyes slowly, seeing Daya sat on the bed looking at him. “In my defence, you seduced me.”
“I did not!” She looks at him in indignation.
“’So, how far do you think these spots go?’” He smirks as he quotes her.
“That was pillow talk, after we... you know.”
“You would say that, wouldn’t you?”
“Don’t go Christine Keeler on me!”
“It wasn’t Keeler who said it.” This little sarcastic remark earns him a pillow thrown at his face.
“Shut up.” She smiles as she walks over to him. “So, wanna talk, or keep flirting?”
“Is this a trick question?” He smiles weakly, as she gives him a playful shove, sitting down in the chair next to him. “Alright...”
The mood seems to fall over the course of a few eerily silent moments, as Ryan rests his hand on his cane, before he finally begins to speak. “It was cold... dark... after a few days being locked inside that cell, it was damp and...” He trails off, as Daya holds his hand.
“It’s okay...” She says soothingly.
“My mouth was sore... I kept feeling with my tongue for that missing molar. They only gave me water, my stomach was screaming in hunger... I thought I could cope... I thought it was just psychological warfare – trying to break me so I wouldn’t defend myself during the trial...” Daya nods solemnly. “During the trial... all they wanted was for me to say what they wanted to hear... any time I spoke a word in my own defence... they... beat me in the spine and left me screaming in agony...” His voice starts to crack, as he trails off again.
“It’s alright, Ryan... I’m right here...”
“I couldn’t stop them... I wasn’t strong enough! They kept beating me and I couldn’t stop them! I was nothing to them! I was nothing!” He starts to break down, as Daya stands and kneels down to look at him in the eyes, pulling him into an embrace as he begins to sob into her shoulder, closing her eyes and holding him close as tears begin to roll down her face as well, while the sun sets over the horizon.
Daya slowly begins to hum a tune she’d heard when she attended the memorial service for Ryan’s parents 5 years earlier, before slowly beginning to murmur it to him, “Abide with me... fast falls the eventide...” She trails off, humming the tune as the two sit there in each other’s embrace, washed by the orange light of the setting sun.
End of Part Two.
Trials of Blood and Fire
Moving On Parts 1-3 - Part 4
In Cold Blood
Anyway, I really enjoyed this segment--there seemed to be more for me to get into character-wise. The exchange with Alpha got a genuine laugh out of me. On one hand he doesn't exactly understand organic relationships...on the other, you never know, there might be a seed of something there in his advice.
Ryan's "breakdown" (or really the beginning of catharsis) reminded me a lot of Picard's reaction to Borg assimilation in "Family." I thought it worked very well.
As a Cardassian fan, I really liked your use of the missing molar: given that technology in the 24th century, especially Cardassian tech, which I suspect to be more advanced in the medical arena than the Federation, should not require that a molar be removed in order to get a DNA sample from someone, I strongly suspect the old Union did that for psychological purposes. Out-of-universe DS9 came out as DNA tech was only just starting to come into its own. But in universe I've reconciled it as psychological--intended more as a reminder to each citizen that they are owned by the state in both mind and body, than, truly as a tool of identification. Every time they feel that absence, they are reminded. I would not be surprised if it was illegal in the old days to get a replacement. Perhaps Ryan might consider having a new one grown from his stem cells and implanted, to take that little "triumph" away from Gul Kutar, whom I suspect was trying to send just that sort of message to Ryan.
That said, there is one thing I hope that as he starts to put the experience together, Ryan will remember. He wasn't nothing to everybody, even in that place. And that right there is a h*ll of a sign that he is indeed worth something. It is one thing to risk your life for your friends. Another for a stranger and an alien.
Great job, and I can't wait to see more.
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Thanks! Admittedly, it's not mentioned in the story, but my own headcanon is that his molar was replaced during his medical treatment for his injuries, but the memories of it being missing are still there.
As for extracting the molar, I always thought the Cardassians were using it for both - if you need the DNA, why not go for a psychological warfare technique of getting it? Two birds, one stone. As for Ryan's breakdown, I did have Family in mind when I was writing that, so I'm glad you enjoyed it.
What about that last line of dialogue from Daya? I wasn't sure whether to include it or not...
Also, what do you think of Kalynn so far?
Trials of Blood and Fire
Moving On Parts 1-3 - Part 4
In Cold Blood
I can imagine that would take some getting used to because of the physical violation it represents, even when it's put back.
Indeed. My basic rationale as well.
One thing some of the hard-line Cardassian-haters forget is that the reason the state employed such techniques is because there were times when Cardassian citizens themselves would recognize that its behavior was wrong and hate them for what they were doing. They would not need to be "reminded" not to take action if they had no conscience or independent minds, after all.
Do you mean the song lyric? If so, I think it worked well.
Still developing an impression of her, but I can certainly imagine that families would be divided on the issue of Starfleet service. I was actually against Bajor's admission to the Federation myself, and don't like that both the official novels, and STO, had Bajor get absorbed. I think the alliance could have continued to be strengthened, but to me, the risk to Bajor's culture and religion was too serious. So I can see the argument they had from both sides. I respect Kalynn's service ethic and find it admirable, but ideologically, if I were in universe, I would partially side with her parents...though I do not see a violent Occupation, but a "soft" cultural assimilation that I consider unfavorable for Bajor.
I can only imagine how my Admiral/Gul Berat would feel if he saw what had happened to Ryan. Sick, sad, and it would probably trigger flashbacks in Berat of his own torture at the hands of a cruel regime. (So at least it would not be uncomprehending pity on Berat's part, but knowledge of what it was like to be there.)
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A recurring theme throughout my fanfics is this underlying tone of unease among Federation members about how centralised the Federation is becoming (Earth and Andoria in particular), so this will probably be addressed at some point in a future story. At the moment, I'm working on the premise that the Federation membership is so young that Bajor is still largely independent. Similarly, when Kalynn mentioned dangers of another occupation, she was referring to threats outside the Federation driven by Bajor's strategic position near the Wormhole (although I am considering a story looking at anti-Federation sentiment more closely... I'm going to need an ideas doc at this rate!
Anyway, did you get the Christine Keeler reference? If another Brit didn't get it, then I don't have much hope of anybody else getting it, do I?
Trials of Blood and Fire
Moving On Parts 1-3 - Part 4
In Cold Blood
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Oops! On the bright side, you've proven my point on non-Brits getting the joke!
Keeler was, ahem, a lady of ill-repute, who had an affair with the UK Minister for War John Profumo in 1963... as well as a Russian Spy...
A scandal which would have ended relatively bloodlessly turned into a complete nightmare for the Government when Profumo denied he'd had the affair. At the trial of Keeler's employer, he said he was completely innocent and one of Keeler's friends replied 'Well 'e would say that, wouldn't 'e?'
The 'Profumo Affair' ultimately humiliated the government and led to PM Harold Macmillan resigning due to ill-health. It was Britain's Watergate in many ways.
And that concludes today's history lesson!
What about the opening scene to this part? I was debating whether to include it, so I'd appreciate your thoughts on it, as short as it is...
Trials of Blood and Fire
Moving On Parts 1-3 - Part 4
In Cold Blood
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This is very good stuff - was quite disturbed by the breakdown, and what happened to Ryan in your last story (I would be a little worried otherwise, to be honest), but for what little my opinion is worth, I thought you wrote both that and this one very well. I'd echo the gulberat's comment about the survival of fanfic, and look forward to reading more.
Part Three. U.S.S. Victorious.
The next morning, at 0530 hours Earth Standard Time, GMT, Tala tosses and turns in her bed before a shrieking boson screams through the room, piercing into her head as she wakes. “I’m going to kill them...” she grumbles as she reaches for the comm. panel, “Just as soon as I wake up...” She taps the comm. control. “Tr’zanac...”
“Sorry to disturb you lieutenant...” the voice of the ship’s Gamma Shift Operations Officer echoes over the comm. “But today’s status report just came in from command.”
“Gagarovich, it’s...” She looks at the chronometer on her end table, “0530... I’ll read it when I get to the bridge.”
“Sir, there’s news from Andoria. There’s been an attack.”
Tala mouth opens for a moment at that as she goes silent, before pulling herself out of bed.
“There’s a personal message attached for you.”
“Send it to my terminal down here. All of it.” She stands up, straightening the bottom of her nightshirt and shaking the cuffs of her trousers to the ankle as she walks over to her desk and console. “Computer, lights.”
The room is flooded by a soft ice-blue light, configured by her as a reminder of her home moon. She sits down in her seat, brushing her silver hair out of her eyes and tucking it behind her ear as she activates the computer terminal. She taps the screen a few times, navigating to the Daily Starfleet Status Report and seeing a section in the contents labelled ‘Andoria Attacked – 0220 Terra’. She quickly taps on the heading and is navigated straight to the relevant section.
A squadron of Nausicaan Raiders attacked Andoria while the Imperial Guard were driving off an Orion Pirate Group, attacking the capital city and abducting 15 of her people – probably to be sold to the Orions as slaves. 8 other Andorians were killed in the firefight with Guard personnel before the raiders were driven off by the U.S.S. Stargazer. There are several images included of the damage done in the attack, including carbon scoring on several of the walls and pillars of the Shran Plaza, one of the largest commercial plazas in the Core Worlds.
After a few moments, Tala recovers from her sense of shock and closes the report, opening the message that had been included in the data packet for her.
Dear Niece,
This is your Uncle. I hope things are well with you – I’ve been following your career in Starfleet with close attention, as have your parents. We’re all proud of you.
I’m sorry I’ve had to send you this message in the written format, but the Guard has imposed Emergency Measures on communications due to the attack to avoid panic. I’ve had to call in a lot of favours just to get this message to you.
Your sister was in Andara when the attack came. She rescued a pair of children from the raiders, but she was injured by a disruptor blast.
Tala stops reading for a moment, collecting herself as her heart seems to skip a beat.
She’s been rushed to Andara Central Hospital, and she’s stable, but the doctors say she’s still in danger. I’ve made arrangements to ensure you’ll be able to see her. I hope to hear from you soon.
Dearly,
Commandant Kronn Tr’zanac.
Tala leans back in her chair, closing her eyes and holding her arms, before checking the time: 0547 hours. She’s due on the bridge at 0630. She chooses to sit there, in silence, for several minutes before standing up and getting ready to change into uniform.
***
Bajor, Kendra Province.
The rising Bajoran Sun begins to crack through the drawn curtains as Daya stirs from her sleep, feeling an odd chill from her left foot, before realising it’s hanging off the edge of the bed and pulling it back in, slowly opening her eyes, blinking as they adapt to the still dark bedroom.
She then rolls over to her left, seeing Ryan sleeping peacefully next to her, before gently leaning over him and kissing him on the lips. She then gets dressed and heads to the bathroom, washing in the sonic shower before returning to the bedroom, her hair falling free as she sees Ryan finish getting dressed. “Morning.” She smiles as she walks over to him.
“Morning.” Ryan smiles at her as she wraps her arms around him, while the light now shines in through the fully-opened curtains. As she gives him a small kiss on the lips.
“How do you feel?” Daya tilts her head to the side, smiling at him.
“Better. You seem to have that effect on me.”
“I bet you say that to all the girls you meet.”
“Oh no you don’t. You used to bust my *** back at the academy if I called you a girl!”
“That was when we were just classmates and not...” She smiles suggestively before shaking her head. “Come on. Vedek Karan will be here to give you a tour in an hour.”
***
Meanwhile at Hedara Village, Ketha Province, Heja is walking down a main road, wearing her uniform undershirt with a Starfleet duffel bag over her shoulder, as the Ketha sun reaches noon height. Despite the rapid urbanisation taking place elsewhere on Bajor, and the constant developments in urban regions, Ketha is still a very agrarian region. Once home to one of Bajor’s largest wineries, it was razed to the ground by the Cardassian Occupation forces in retribution for a resistance attack on the home of Gul Marenn. After 40 years, the land was finally fertile enough for farming to resume and Kalynn’s parents joined the recolonisation efforts shortly after she left to join Starfleet.
It was even more peaceful than she imagined; farmers walked along the paved roads with carts of spring vines and other crops, as well as pack animals and even Tekara; a Bajoran mount animal similar to an Earth horse, but with a softer coat and a gently curved face.
After walking on for about half an hour, Kalynn arrives at a small cottage near the edge of the village, finding an elderly women, easily in her 60s, tending her garden, some specks of red hair still present on her head, mixed in amongst the greys. Kalynn smiles as she recognises the women, “Having a good harvest this year, Aunt Nari?”
The elderly lady looks up, smiling as she stands and walks over to Kalynn, giving her a hug. “Kalynn!” The two laugh a little before Nari pulls back, holding Kalynn by the shoulders and inspecting her. “By the Prophets, how you’ve grown! Or is that just my getting shorter?” She lets out a chuckle. “What on Bajor are you doing here?”
“My ship’s under repair at DS9, so I decided, since I’m in the system, why not pay my family a visit?”
“It’s good to see you, Kal...” Nari smiles a little, before frowning, “But your timing isn’t great...”
Heja’s jubilant smile melts away into a scowl. “What’s happened?”
“It’s your father. He’s been arrested.”
***
“I don’t believe this!” Kalynn exclaims in Bajoran as she paces past a cell containing a 54 year-old Bajoran male wearing a grey uniform as a Militia Guard stands at the door to the office of the local Militia Post. “My own father was caught taking part in a riot!”
“Heja Kalynn...” The man attempts to speak before Kalynn cuts him off.
“Not only that, but it was a riot against Starfleet building a local defence outpost 50 hanares outside the village?! I could understand if it weren’t for the fact that you were personally caught assaulting a Militia officer!”
“I barely touched him.”
“You threw him over a skimmer!” Kalynn throws her arms out to her sides in frustration, “If you weren’t my father, I’d pray to the Prophets that they take you by the *** and shake you upside down until you’re brain’s knocked back in!”
“If we had been consulted about the plans...”
“You think that somehow excuses starting a riot?! This isn’t the Occupation anymore Dad! There are procedures in place for--!”
“Now you’re sounding like a Federation Officer.”
“I am a Federation Officer, Dad. And last I checked, there were Bajorans in Starfleet before the Cardassians even left our planet! Phekk, some of them even helped us get free!”
“Is that what you call it? We traded one master for another!”
“Do you see Starfleet Officers marching through the streets with rifles?! Do you see Federation-imposed curfews?! Do you see me burning down your crops?! If Bajor wants to leave, Dad, it only has to ask. And then we’ll be at the mercy of the Klingons, the Breen or, Prophets forbid, the Dominion. Is that what you want?”
The man smiles a little. “Still the same stubborn, firebranded Kalynn. Your mother would be proud if she could see this.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Didn’t Nari tell you? Your mother’s the Militia Commander in Kendra Province. Some of what you said to her rubbed off, I guess.”
“With good reason, Karonn.” Nari folds her arms as she looks at him. “And don’t think for a minute that I’m going to encourage your daughter to bail you. This is your mess.”
Kalynn glares at him slightly, “What the phekk did you think you were going to achieve, Dad? The Chamber of Ministers isn’t going to listen to you just because you threw a bunch of rocks at a company of Militiamen.”
“Maybe not, but they at least heard us, didn’t they?”
“They heard a nuisance, Dad. They heard a disgruntled old man who should really lay off the wine, for his own good.”
“How dare--!”
“You were well above the limit, Dad. They told me. You know, I actually came here because I wanted to talk to my parents again; try and work through any hard feelings left behind. I didn’t come here to find my father in jail!”
“Kalynn...”
“Don’t.” She walks out into the office, looking at the Post Commander. “How long is he going to stay there?”
“Until the hearing, in 3 days.” The Militia Officer, wearing a tan-coloured uniform, says before handing her a PADD. “If you just put your thumbprint--”
“I’m not bailing him out. If I hadn’t been visiting my parents, I wouldn’t be here in the first place. Maybe this way he’ll at least learn something.” The Militiaman nods respectfully, taking the PADD back as Kalynn walks out.
End of Part Three
Trials of Blood and Fire
Moving On Parts 1-3 - Part 4
In Cold Blood
Glad to see Ryan is feeling better this morning.
Now I think the scene that really steals the show is Heja. I was NOT expecting that with her father, at all. And that was a REALLY impressive scene. I'm assuming that Militia officer survived his fall, though? I'd hate to see Heja's reaction if her father was up on murder charges. O_O Maybe it's the Cardassian in me, but even though I know it should be a good thing for families to reconcile, I was very pleased to see that she did not take the "oh, my family is made of angels therefore I will defend them even when the evidence is clear as day that they did a horrible thing" tactic. It also strikes me that in a way, she is almost in the position of having to be the "parent" to her father, before he even gets old. There was definitely a sense of role reversal there, that I think would have to be very hard on her.
While I think the Federation is culturally risky to Bajor, Heja is right: violence is NOT the way to solve it, and is way out of proportion.
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The Hopper was landed when he did it.
And yes, Kronn is Imperial Guard. In 'Heritage', I went over how Tala did her basic training with the Guard before joining Starfleet. This is set-up for a story around Tala and Dannover. I just love writing those two; they're like Bashir and O'Brien!
As for Heja, I really wanted to give her character development here, since she didn't get any in 'Trials...', and writing this gave me an idea for a possible future story.
But first, I'm going to finish this one up in the next part and start thinking about Tala's story.
Trials of Blood and Fire
Moving On Parts 1-3 - Part 4
In Cold Blood
Somehow I feel if not for the Occupation, the Bajoran caste system was heading shortly to a violent end on its own accord.
And also, the war continues, even if the characters are recovering right now.
Great chapter!
Member Access Denied Armada!
My forum single-issue of rage: Make the Proton Experimental Weapon go for subsystem targetting!
Thanks.
Besides, getting technical, that letter would have been written entirely in Andorian and translated to make sense to us mere human readers.
Trials of Blood and Fire
Moving On Parts 1-3 - Part 4
In Cold Blood
I seem to remember folks saying that at one time, when they were creating their Andorian characters, the four genders were selectable options, but now, they're apparently just stuck at 'male' and 'female', but yes, it is still only soft canon at present (although unlikely to be overridden by any new hard canon for the foreseeable future
I suspect that a translator is in effect for much of the stuff I write too
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Your father was captain of a starship for twelve minutes. He saved 800 lives, including your mother's, and yours.
I dare you to do better.
Correct. This is meant as a short story to connect Trials to my next fanfic.
Also, does anyone mind telling me which episode it describes the 4-member family units in? I don't remember it being in Enterprise or the episode in TOS with Andorians.
Trials of Blood and Fire
Moving On Parts 1-3 - Part 4
In Cold Blood
It was from a comment in "Data's Day."
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Yep, just checked Memory Alpha. It seems to confirm that their are 4 participants in an Andorian marriage, but there's no other information on it. One possibility is that, given the clan system Andoria has, the two 'extra' participants could be the two active participants' closest friends or siblings. The thing is there's very little canonically to go on.
Trials of Blood and Fire
Moving On Parts 1-3 - Part 4
In Cold Blood
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