Return

Posted on Sat Oct 17th, 2020 @ 7:40am by Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Lieutenant Sapphire Morgan [Lalor] & Consul Josephine Carlyle-Cragen & Lieutenant JG Nerinath zh'Rhilror [Lalor] & Cadet Junior Grade Triston Montgomery [Lalor] & Avalon [ADMIN NPC] & Captain Gary Taylor & Lieutenant Commander Aurelia Taylor & Commander Arrianna Salannis an Vantar & Lieutenant Commander Turak & Commander Sthilg & Ensign Olivia (Carter) Voight & Lieutenant Commander Alicia Kelea-Salik & Lieutenant JG Miraj Derani & Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen [Taylor] & Lieutenant Scott Gregory [Taylor] & Legate Imik S'Niohun [Lia Taylor] & Senior Chief Petty Officer Fernando De La Rosa [Taylor] & Lieutenant JG Heather De La Rosa {Kelea-Salik}

Mission: SEASON 4: Episode 1: Know Thy Self!
Location: USS Elysium- Various
Timeline: MD6- early
1437 words - 2.9 OF Standard Post Measure

Captain Lalor, finally in clean clothes and feeling more like herself than days previous stood on the bridge. "Attention Crew of the USS Elysium. These past few days have been extremely difficult for all of us. We have faced and been through things that we never expected to. Our lives have changed, and we have lost people and their loss will be felt for the rest of our lives. But through it all, you all came through the fire and now we head for home. And I have never been more proud of you all as I am today."

She drew a deep breath. "This situation is not something we wanted to face as I said. But face it we have and what has happened must be dealt with. Upon our return to our universe this ship will head for Deep Space 16. Once there ALL CREW are to undergo mandatory Counselling. NO EXCEPTIONS. All crew will submit for these reviews and be checked over by the Medical Staff. And when I say no exceptions, I mean it."

She looked towards the helm "Ensign Derani. Take us through the rift. Lieutenant Morgan, inform the convoy that we move, now."

"Aye" replied Sapphire.

Miraj didn't look away from the ships on the screen, she wanted to make the memory last, this was the closest thing she'd gotten to finding the ship she'd be born on, the mother she'd never met She put a light finger on the helm, and the Elysium began its turn away from the ships that had accompanied them, and faced the gently pulsing space that indicated the rift. Once aligned, she increased speed slowly, not wanting to risk any mishaps from going to fast.

Arrianna entered the bridge still dressed in her alternates tachy taste of clothing. She then tapped some commands on her console. "Attention all Crew. I am about to show you proof that it was the Captain's alternate who ordered you to the cargo bay three days ago."

Arri started the recording of a woman who looked like the captain on every screen on the ship. "Alright craven, what did you do for Taylor?" Arri said

"I was ordered to take the place of Captain Phoenix Lalor of the USS Elysium"

"Did you give the order for our crew, to deceive them into the cargo bays?" Arri gave her a motivational slap.

"Yes, once Commander Taylor surrendered the ship, i gave the order for all crew to attend the Cargo bays."

"Tell them what you are. Tell them you are a cowardly bitch. SAY IT." Arri screamed.

"I am Lady Penelope Lalor of Hiran, wife of High Lord Palas Lalor. I am not Phoenix Lalor. I only pretended to be her to save my own life."

Arri spoke again. "That is all."

Having listened to the recording while at the tactical station and scanning for any last ditch attempt to stop the Elysium from going through the rift, Turak was happy to be going home but saddened about what had taken place. He had known that something was wrong when the crew had been to ordered to the cargo bays, he just didn't know what. However, he was glad he followed his instinct and came dressed for the party in tactical gear and weapons. He now couldn't wait to get to Deep Space 16 and get a short break. When his scans were completed, he told the Captain, "the area is clear of enemy combatants, Captain."

The turbolift opened as the ship's chief MD stepped out. He was tired and frustrated at his mirror getting away and the amount of work he'd been doing to keep his crewmates alive. " All crew who needed emergency sssurgery have been seen to captain," he said calmly before looking over to Arrianna. " Pleassse tell me that £$£$% is dead." he said in a completely out of character move.

"She's not worth it, Doctor." Arrianna noted. "The craven little harlot will die many times through her life, but the brave only need fear death once. The real victory here is not becoming them." Arrianna mentioned. "I took this recording to tell the crew what really happened on the bridge when we took the ship back. Their morale is important to me." Arri noted. "I will tolerate no detriment to the crew's morale as Second Officer."

Gary listened to Arri's 'conversation' with Lady Penelope and closed his eyes at the words when Commander Taylor surrendered the ship. He fully expected to be relieved of this position of First Officer and face a court martial for surrendering the ship without even putting up a fight.

Alicia stepped out of the turbolift just as the conversation was going on, she noted Gary’s response to the mention of his name and the surrender of the ship. “You did what you had to do Commander.” She offered an understanding smile as she took a seat.

Gary turned and nodded at Alicia's comment. "I appreciate the support Alicia but i don't think Command is going to feel the same way." He answered quietly as to not draw attention to their conversation.

“No doubt we’ll find out soon enough.” Alicia shrugged her shoulders and kept her voice low. “I’ll testify in your favour and I’ve no doubt the crew will too.”

"No doubt." Gary answered "And i may need your testimony."

“You can rely on me” Alicia nodded and smiled warmly.

Arrianna spoke. "If we did not surrender, Commander, Then your alternate would have detonated the bomb inside Phoenix's Alternate, and our bridge would have been destroyed. He would have still taken the ship, and without our leadership, our crew would still be slaves." She noted. "We needed to play for time, but we did that because we had compassion for suffering."

Arri turned to Phoenix. "We couldn't bear to see him torture you... It was..." Arrianna couldn't speak anymore.

Phoenix held up a hand. "I know. Lets just get to DS16." she said softly.

There was a breif chirp at tactical, as the Serpents Tooth hailed them, and them. Lianej Derani appeared on screen, stately in the captains chair of the old cruiser, her QM, Mal Garrison standing behind her. "This is as far as we go." The boslic woman said, "Much as it might be an adventure to follow you and Matriach Lucianna, we've got plenty to do in this universe. Someone's going to come looking for Lady Penelope eventully, best to be long gone before we do. Good luck, captain."

Arrianna spoke. "Give 'Lady' Penelope Lalor a slap for me, and tell her that Arrianna says 'that's something to remember me by.' I'll be in my quarters, trying to salvage what's left of my mental discipline."

Lia hadn't said much, her mind was still in turmoil at the loss of crew. She felt she was to blame, if she hadn't stood down perhaps Gary would have fought and the Elysium escaped the MU trap. She listened to the others talk and felt it hurt as they banded together, would they blame her as she blamed herself?

The View screen now blinked into life as Mishka appeared on it, "Given my greeting when we first met, I think it unwise the Havraha proceeds any further. I wish you well and hope I do not see you here again, it will take months to repair my vessel". She grinned as she spoke, some of the Elysium crew they liberated had informed her just why the Federation thought her dangerous. "Captain, I know what my counter part did to you and your crew in your universe. I can only say sorry, but that will not mean much to those she harmed". Signaling to her helmsman Mishka signed off, "No returning Federation, you're too much like hard work!!" The screen went blank as the Havraha went to warp, time for Mishka to start attacking Philip once again.

Phoenix had to smile. It was a forced smile but it was there. She merely said "Well she is right about those things." softly.

Olivia was still down in Sickbay keeping watch over the select few that were still needing a close watch over due to their injuries. Most had been treated and released to rest in their own quarters. Dr Sthlig had gone up to the bridge to handle a few things there. She would have to check up on him once he came back to Sickbay after handling the business he needed to handle up on the bridge.

The Elysium with its convoy of ships moved through the rift slowly, heading home finally.