Recall... oh crap!

Posted on Fri Aug 13th, 2021 @ 10:46am by Lieutenant Samaire MacBride-Reece [Lalor] & Cadet Sophomore Grade Triston Montgomery [Lalor] & Captain Gary Taylor & Lieutenant Baeryn Whavi-Tonelly & Gregor [Tonelly] & Sarah Jones

Mission: Season 5: Episode 2: Operation Save Humanity
Location: New Canaan, Various locations
Timeline: MD6 - 12h00
6851 words - 13.7 OF Standard Post Measure

Samaire and Triston had been walking around looking at different stores and as they looked human cause they were they were not really looked at. As Samaire was looking at a craft stall when the call came over the comm. "Cadet!" she called out. "Recall!"

Triston who had been looking at books turned and nodded. "Yes Ensign"

Joining the Ensign they moved out of the market area and found their way blocked.

Samaire flashed a bright friendly smile. "Gentlemen, Please excuse us" She went to step past them, but a hand hit her chest, shoving her back.

Samaire calmly straightened and her arm blocked Triston who had been about to leap to her defense. "Is there a problem Gentlemen?" she asked politely.

"You both are from that Alien lover ship." One sneered. "Unclean beings who claim to be human."

"Well I can trace my ancestry back to Mary Queen of Scotts, and I can tell you it is pure scottish blood." Samaire replied with a smile. "I am fully Human not that it is any of your business."

"Yeah and I am the same!" Triston snapped. "And there is nothing wrong with liking beings of other races!"

"There is here" One of the others snapped.

"Yeah you need to ...." and here the third smirked. "Leave. Or... we can make you leave."

"We were just about to." Samaire replied coldly.

"Aww come on Jacob, if she is human as she claims, why would she want to leave?" the first said to the third.

"Leave it Samuel" The second said "We do not want their Alien loving arses here"

Samaire glanced at Triston and raised an eyebrow at him. He gave a sharp nod. "Cadet!"

Triston turned and began to run in the opposite direction. Samaire was right behind him.

"HEY!" Three irate voices shouted.

The Cadet and Ensign ran through the streets and Samaire kept herself between Triston and the men pounding along behind them.

From the rooftops, a few blocks away, A form, dressed head to toe in black, had been watching the scenes unfold. Young Hendor was already flying up to the new ship, so there was nothing that could be done for him. Unless..

Suddenly, the form was moving leaping across tbe spaces between the closely built buildings with ease, as if he or she had been doing it for years. They seemed to know, on sheer instinct, where to jump and when.

They saw the two strangers being chased by the triplets of terror, Samuel, Jacob and Richard. They were the local unofficial muscle for these few blocks. Most people just steered clear of them.

The individual came to a stop at a u-shaped corner in the building that the strangers were unwittingly running right to! If they weren't helped, and soon, there would be two less strangers breathing on New Canaan.

Quickly grabbing onto the large smoke stack that lifted high from the bakery below, the individual practically slid the four stories to the ground below. Once they hit the dirt, they scurried over to the sewer cover. As it was a defunct line, there was no longer any waste running through it and was bone dry. Bending down and grunting loudly, the individual lifted the cover up on it's side. Just as the two strangers turned the corner and stopped, staring at what was in front of them. "Get in, if you want to live," a strong, muffled, male voice said to them.

The female pushed the young male ahead. "Go Cadet!" she ordered. She didn't care where they went, just as long as they got away from the three dudes behind them. She would have called for beam out but they had orders not to.

Triston all but dove into the tube as directed.

Samaire was right behind him.

As soon as the two were inside, the individual quickly followed, ensuring the cover did not slam down. He then put a finger over where his mouth was, to indicate they remain silent. He then waved them after him, as he moved quickly, and nearly silently, through the tunnel.

Triston glanced at Samaire who nodded and waved him after their rescuer.

A few beats later, the sounds of the triplets arguing could be heard behind them. The masked man didn't even slow down as he led the pair further and further away.

Once the voices had faded far behind them, Samaire moved to try and snag their rescuer. "Hey, thank you" She said softly.

The man's reaction was lighting fast. He spun away from the touch, grabbing her wrist and twisting her to the wall. "Do not touch me! Your people took one of mine! What are they going to do to him? Experiment on him? Euthanize him because he is deformed?! Speak quickly!"

"Ensign!"

"STAND DOWN CADET!" Samair barked out. "Look, We do not experiment on people nor do we euthanize people! If they took him it would be for medical treatment." She turned her head so her face was against the brick. "Believe me, if we did, my niece would not be alive!"

The stranger, who had a grip like duranium, asked the obvious question. "What is wrong with your niece?"

"What was wrong, when she was born, she was diagnosed with Hydrocephalus. And she was addicted to several drugs. My Sister was wild and often high on drugs." Samaire said softly "She died of a drug overdose, and my niece became mine to care for."

The stranger paused when he heard this. "Do your people euthanize the young for any deformities, of any kind?"

"no!" both ensign and cadet replied.

Triston shifted. "Look man, my best friend is from a world where women are whipped for sport and sold to the highest bidder, she lives with her sister after they escaped that planet. And the federation does not allow genetic engineering of children either after birth or in utero."

The stranger looked over at the boy, freezing him witb a stare. "Federation? You are not from Earth, seat of the Green Imperium?"

Samaire gave a short laugh "The Green Imperium? Oh please! It never eventuated. Green died Centuries ago and his ideals were thrown into the bin. Earth is a founding member of the United Federation of Planets."

This news fully surprised the stranger. He released his hold on the woman and backed away a few paces. "Earth is...safe?"

Samaire turned and nodded. "yes. We have not had a war on the planet between humans since 2053. We made first contact with the Vulcans in 2063. It's now 2397. Oh the Federation has fought wars against Klingons, Romulans, the Dominon but we are at peace with them currently. Earth is a multicultural mecca. Vulcans, Andorians, Betazoids, Humans, Deltans, Risans, Klingons, Romulans and even the odd Gorn visit Earth."

It was almost to ggod to be true. "It...it sounds....perfect..." the stranger responded. He then looked the woman directly in her eyes. "Would there be a safe place for my brothers and sisters in your Federation?"

Triston and Samaire exchanged looks. "Yes" They said honestly. "Refugee status" Samaire continued. "How many are there of you?"

"As of yesterday, three thousand, four hundred, seventy-one, all under my protection." He removed his mask and headgear, revealing his hairless albinism. "My name us Gregor. Will you help us?"

Samaire nodded. "I am Samaire McBride, this is Triston Montgomery." She introduced them to him. "We will help you."

Gregor extended his right hand. "Then we are friends."

Samaire held hers out and shook his. "Are there others, than your people, who dislike the way things are here?" she asked softly.

Gregor nodded, think of Sarah. "There are. Not many but, there are topsiders who do not agree with the current policies."

Samaire nodded. "You will need to make sure they are also willing to leave, I think we can get them out as well."

Triston nodded. "Commander Taylor will help us." He said to Samaire.

"Yes," she replied softly. She looked at Gregor. "I will send Triston back to the ship and stay here as guarantee. "

"Ensign..." but Triston broke off at her wave of hand.

Gregor considered it, and nodded. "Agreed, Samaire. However, you will not be a guarantee. You will be my guest. You will be safe." He pulled a small piece of cloth from his chest pouch. Handing it to Triston he said, "Give this to Hendor, the little boy on your ship. It will let him know that I am aware of his situation and that he is among friends."

Triston pocketed the cloth and looked at Samaire. "The Lieutenant is gonna be pissed I left you here" He said

"Yeah yeah, she can yell at me later Triston." Samaire replied casually. "Beam out now Cadet"

He sighed and pulled the comm badge from his pocket and activated it. "Montgomery to Elysium. One to beam out."

And with that he was beamed away.

Gregor jumped back as the Cadet seemingly vanished into thin air. "How...where....what happened to him?!"

She smiled. "It's a Transporter beam. It is complex, but basically it transports you from one place to another instantaneously. Triston has been beamed back to our ship in Orbit. He will be walking down the corridors right now, heading for Commander Taylor I believe."

Gregor looked up towards the ceiling of the tunnel, as if they were topside and he was gazing up onto the sky above. "Instantly?!" He was floored by the level of technology it took to have such power. "And...it doesn't hurt?"

"No it doesn't hurt" Samaire smiled brightly. "And it is quicker than a shuttle."

Gregor found this information very impressive. "But, if you have such power, why use shuttles? Or even spaceships? Can't you just transport anywhere?"

"We can, but remember your reaction to Triston beaming out... if we beamed in..."

It took a few beats but, Gregor started to slowly nod. "It would cause a panic."

She nodded. "Correct, so we keep it to the same level as tech shown by the planet we are visiting."

Gregor nodded. "Come, I'll take you back to Home and you can see what this world has to offer." He then turned and started to lead her deeper underground.

Samaire nodded and followed. "Very well."

==

Transporter Room 1

==

Triston appeared in Transporter Room 1.

Baeryn stood in the transporter room, crossing her arms over her chest as the cadet rematerialized. Only seeing one blue beam did not improve her current attitude.

Triston bit back a curse "Lieutenant!" He said "Uh,,... We didn't make it back to the recall before you left... Ensign McBride and I got cornered by some thugs."

"Clearly." Baeryn reigned in her irritation, "Where is Ensign McBride? You were instructed to stay together."

"We were together and we were ,.. I guessed Rescued is the word, by a man who lives... well in the sewers. Him and a few thousand of his friends. He wanted to know if we, were ones who killed babies born with defects and such, He wanted to know if the Green Imperium was still active and if we were from earth the seat of it." He rubbed his hands on his pants. "We convinced him that we were different, Ensign McBride told him a story about her niece and her being sick at birth and how she was saved and such. He wants sanctuary for him and his people. Ensign McBride stayed there and sent me back to get assistance, she suggested Commander Taylor and yourself"

Baeryn tapped her commbadge before thinking twice. With or without Taylor she needed to go retrieve Mcbride, she knew she should be contacting Carrington but perhaps she could handle the situation before admitting she had left the planet without two of her away team.

=Lieutenant Whavi to Commander Taylor=

Baeryn unintentionally held her breath as she waited for Gary to respond.

Gary was in the diplomatic office thinking on what he had seen on the planet an not liking what he had seen when Baeryn contacted him. Tapping his combadge he replied to the hail. =^= Taylor here. What can I do for you Lieutenant=^=

=^=Can you meet me in transporter room one? I need your assistance with something...I can explain more when you get here =^= Baeryn's mental fingers crossed as she prayed the little information she gave would suffice.

Gary's curiosity was aroused by Baeryn's evasiveness. =^= I'll meet you there in five minutes.=^= Gary told her as he closed the connection and began to collect a few things he might need. A cricket phaser went into his waistband and a tricorder . Four and a half minutes later, he stood in transporter room one looking at Baeryn. "Okay, what's up?"

Baeryn sighed. “Ensign McBride is still planet side. Her and cadet failed to make it back to the shuttle before we returned. The cadet has just informed me that they were attacked by some thugs and another resident of the planet came to their rescue. I’m going to assume he’s what is referred to as an “Outkast”. Lieutenant Charles brought back a young boy whom I believe is also part of this group. From what Lt Charles told me they…. live underground. The figure who rescued the ensign and cadet has requested sanctuary. I don’t know what exactly we will be walking into but what I do know is I don’t have time to request permission to bring back McBride. I’m going down now, and I was hoping you’d come with.” Baeryn ended her plea and gave Gary optimist look.

Gary listened as Baeryn explained the situation. "I see." He remarked cryptically before continuing, "Well, as I am the chief diplomat of this ship, I think you came to the right person as this sounds like a diplomatic request for asylum." He smiled at her, "So lets get to it as time is wasting."

Baeryn returned his smile and nodded. She then proceeded to the small weapons' locker located in the transporter room. From it she removed a phaser and quickly fastened it to her belt, then removed two others before turning to Gary. "Given the situation I don't find it wise to beam down unarmed." She held out a phaser for both the commander and the cadet.

Gary took the offered phaser, not mentioning he was already armed. Not that he didn't trust Baeryn but if something happened and the phaser was taken, he still had another. "Agreed." He replied. "Set your phasers to heavy stun." He told her and Triston. "Triston, you follow Lt. Whavi or my instructions to the letter, don't question just do. Is that understood?" His tone indicated there was no room for argument.

"Yes Commander" Triston replied. He set his phaser to stun.

Baeryn set her phaser to stun as she stepped atop the transport pad. Then addressing the transport technician, "Beam us down to the location the cadet was beamed up from. We will locate McBride from there." Turning to the cadet and commander, "Let's get the show on the road shall we?"

Gary chuckled at Baeryn's assertiveness. "By all means Lieutenant. Lets get to it." He replied as he stepped onto the pad. "Keep a lock on us and Ensign McBride at all times. " He told the transporter tech.

"We have a lock on the Ensign's location." the tech replied. "We can beam you down within 5 meters of her."

"Energize" Baeryn plainly stated as the muscles in her back tensed as they always did when she used the transport system. Within seconds their bodies had broken down and converted into energy patterns and blue light that then rematerialized planet side.

As the transporter took them the trio rematerialized planet side, Gary gave a quick look around, ignoring the stale air that filled his nose and lungs. Looking for Ensign McBride in the dimly lit sewer. He looked over at Baeryn and Triston, "Do you see her?"

Baeryn made brief eye contact with Gary and shook her head no. She directed her question toward Triston, "Any idea which way they would have gone?" She regretted speaking as she then needed to refill the air in her lungs. Baeryn did everything in her power to keep the bile from rising.

Triston looked around and pointed further into the Tunnels. "That way is best guess" He pointed to splashes behind them. "This is pretty much where i left them."

"We aren't going to find her and those who want our help standing here." Gary replied. "Baeryn you go first, Triston your in the middle and I'll bring up the rear. Hopefully we'll find McBride and the rest shortly."

As the trio made theircway deeper into the tunnels, they had no idea that their every step and word was observed by one who ruled this underworld. Gregor had already pkaced Samaire in a safe place and was silently stalking the new interlopers. Once they entered the first cross intersection, he made his move, coming up behi dcthe man at the rear of the group, snaking one arm around his neck, as the other held an impossibly sharp blade against his throat. "Who are you with? Topsiders or visitors. Speak now before I skin you alive." His voice was deadly calm and completely confident in his ability to make good on his threat.

Baeryn whirled around, immediately unholstering her phaser and pushing Triston behind her with her free arm. Phaser pointed at the hostile male she responded, "We are members of the Federation. My name is Lieutenant Baeryn Whavi of the USS Elysium. We're friends of Samaire, we've come to offer assistance. Now if you would so kindly lower your weapon and unhand the commander we can proceed more civilly."

Gregor reacted to this news. His eyes softened as he released the man. "If you are friends of Samaire, then you are friends of mine." He quickly and quietly resheathed his blade. "My apologies, Commander. When ut comes to my people's safety, I take no chances."

Gary hadn't been concerned when the man appeared and held a knife to his neck. He was confident in his ability to get free. When his attacker sheathed his knife, Gary turned to face him. "Understandable, I feel the same way with the crew of the Elysium. Will you please take us to Ensign McBride?"

Gregor considered the man standing in front of him. He was certain that, had they fought hand to hand, it would be a close battle. This thought gave the man more respect in the mind of the Outkast leader. "Yes, of course." He extended his right hand. "My name is Gregor, I'm the leader and protective brother to the Outkasts."

Without hesitation, Gary extended his own right hand and clasped Gregor's. "Gary Taylor, exec.....chief diplomatic officer of the Elysium. I understand your seeking asylum?"

Gregor nodded as he released Gary's strong grip. "Yes, Hary, my brothers and sisters are being hunted by the topsiders. All because our parents refused to follow Law One, to dispose of any newborn child that shows any form of deformity. Mine? Simple Albinism. However, Hreene would have me terminated as if I was nothong more than a piece of filth on the underside of his show. So, to answer your question, yes, the entire Outkast Clan seeks asylum away from this place." He took in a breath and continued. "But first, Samaire." He let out a soft warbling whistle and suddenly, the seemingly empty cross section they were standing in, suddenly filled with other Outkasts that all seemed to form from the shadows. Each had a deformity of some kind. One large individual had a head that was far too small for his bulk. The look in his eyes seemed that of a child. Another had no legs, but walked around on her powerful arms as if the were her legs. And a third seemed to have been both with malformed hands, only two and three fingers on each hand, respectively. Nearly a dozen more approached, each with various deformities. Suddenly, Samaire cam around the corner, another brute following like a loyal puppy.

Ensign McBride's face was set, and she stopped mere feet from her superior officers. "Commander, Lieutenant" She said briskly.

"Ensign." Gary greeted Samaire before returning his attention to Gregor. "All your people will be granted asylum Gregor. We just need to get them in one place so they can be transported up to our ship."

Gregor nodded. "Then follow me. I will take you to my people." He then turned and headed down a dark tunnel, seemingly knowing every inch of it. The rest of the group followed, aside from the two brutes and the legless woman, who climbed up onto the back of the bigger one. "You'll want to move along," she said. "It can get very dangerous down here."

Gary nodded to the woman. " Of that I have no doubt." He replied before turning to the group from the Elysium. "You heard the man, lets go see the rest of his people and get them somewhere safe."

Samaire nodded and slid in to the group.

====

The group walked for what seemed like hours. Down one tunnel, up another, across three separate deep chasms, the bottoms of each beyond view. They then came to a fast moving river. Gregor motioned that they should follow him up the wall, using the vines that stuck out of it as hand and footholds. Slowly, the moved up over the raging river below them, finally climbing down to safety on the other side. As they neared the end of another tunnel, Gregor whistled again, though, this one was more shrill. Up ahead, the sound of something very large could be heard moving about. Or, more appropriately, several large somethings.

As the group rounded the bend, the sounds were made visible as nearly a dozen Drellonian worms were being sheparded out of the way by handlers. Each worm was nearly ten feet long and four feet wide. They scurried around on dozens of small, claw-like legs, which stuck out along their massive bellies.

Samaire tried not to cringe. She was not good with bugs.

Triston studied them "Interesting" he muttered crouching slightly to get a better look.

Gary looked at the gigantic worms. "That's one way of saying it Triston, and with their size, they make a good first line of defense especially in these tight quarters.""

Gregor grinned. "These are young adolescent cows. They will double in length before they reach full maturity. The bulls, can grow even bigger, but, they are untrainable. It is best to avoid a bull if you see one, many of my brothers and sisters have died, over the years, making the mistake of trying to kill a bull. Come." He waved them through an opening in the tunnel wall, and suddenly, the relative darkness started to give was to a bioluminescent fungi that glowed soft whites and blues on the cave walls and ceiling. "Welcome, my friends, to Home." He stepped aside, to reveal an enormous cavern, the far end barely visible.

Down below their position, nearly covering all of the cavern floor, was a sprawling village. The sounds of hundreds of conversations could be heard as the Outkasts carfied on with their daily activities. There were darmers, tending their small fields of fungi, herders, moving the young cows to and from the feeding caves and their stables. There were tailors, blacksmiths, cooks, even a small tavern of sorts. It was a near perfect representation of an old world village. Other than its location, the biggest difference was the physical appearance of the humans that moved about. Like the group that was with Gregor, each of them showed signs of deformities.

Baeryn watched with wide eyes as the people known as outkasts went about their daily life. Without peeling her eyes from them she asked, "Have your people always been secluded from...what did you call them? Topsiders?"

Gary turned to hear what Gregor would say, all while still marveling what the Outkasts had done. It was quite amazing and a testament to the human spirit to survive.

Gregor nodded as he gazed out over his people. As soon as we are able, we escape the surface. Many don't make it. We are hunted tirelessly. Thankfully, there is somethinh in the rock here that shields us from their scanners. Otherwise, they would have rolled in ages ago and exterminated each and every one of my people. Me? They'd force me to watch, and then slowly take me apart. In full view of the other topsiders, as a warning." He turned to Gary. "Though we are hidden here, it is only a matter of time until we are discovered. On behald of my brothers and sisters, Gary, we request immediate asylum. Please."

"And you will get it Gregor, as Chief Diplomatic Officer I approve your request for asylum for all your people. Get them all together and we'll beam them to the Elysium." Gary replied to the Outkast leader.

This notion suprisrd Gregor. "You can transport nineteen-hundred-ninty-six people all at once?! That's amazing! I will get them ready." He turned to two of his people. "Get out to the grazing caves, tell everyone to get back here, on the double. Tell them to just leave their herds and run. Go!" The two he spoke to turned and ran back into the tunnels. He then looked at the brutes. "We shall stay guard, until the weaker ones are safe. To your posts." They too nodded and moved back to where the adolescent cows were.

"Shitara," he then said to the legless woman. "Find who is still topside on supply runs. Get them back down here. Do it quickly, but quietly. We cannot afgord to have Hreene and his hunters know what is happening."

"I understand, Gregor." She then husted as fast as her hands could carry her, up another wall of vines and out of an opening in the ceiling.

"And now for those below." He sighed as he moved up to the edge of the ledge, overlooking the village. Pulling a small handmade horn, which looked an awful lot like one of the worm feet, he held it to his lips and blew a warbling bleat. Everyone in the village immediately stopped what they were doing and looked up. Lowering the horn, he shouted to be heard. "Brothers, sisters! The day has come! Our salvation from the topsiders! The visitors from Earth are indeed friends of ours and not of Greenes! We have been granted asylum aboard their ship! They will take us all someplace safe and free from the oppression of Greene and his vile hunters! Gather whatever you can carry easily, leave the rest! We will build a new Home elsewhere, with new supplies! Go now, and stand ready for something miraculous!"

After he finished speaking, the Outkasts quickly set out to follow his instructions. He then turned back to Gary and the last member of his group. "Jerro, I need you to oversee things here. Our new friends have a marvelous technology that will allow them to move our brothers and sisters from here, up to their ship, instantly. I have seen the silvery-blue mists that they control. Spread this knowledge to the rest, so they will be better prepared. Go mow."

Jarto nodded wordlessly and scurried off, down into the village, to carry out his orders.

Gregor then addressed Gary. "Gary, please take care of my people. They will be scared."

"Don't worry about them Gregor, they all will be safe." Gary assured the Outkast leader. "You have my word."

"I must go back topside. Both to ensure my people are no longer there, and....to get my mate, Sarah. She is one of many topsiders that oppose Greene as well. I"m sure they would request asylum, if they knew of the offer." Looking back at his people, he looked back. "In case you finish here before Sarah and I return, how do I contact you to be transported up to your ship?"

"Ensign McBride and Cadet Montgomery will both transport back with your people while Lt. Whavi and I will await your return with Sarah and any others who want asylum. Then we can all transport back to the ship and you'll never have to worry about being hunted again."

Gregor took in a relieved breath and nodded. "Thank you, Gary." He then turned and hurried out the way they had come in.

Samaire began gathering people into groups for transport. Triston moved to assist.
==========

Less than an hour later, Gregor was directly below Sarah's basement. Reaching into the pouch on his hip, he pulled out an item, the size of his fist, wrapped in Drellonian hide. Carefully unwrapping the item, he revealed one of the acid producing tunneling organs that covered the worm's heads. It had been discovered that, if removed correctly, an organ could be held for a few days and used to carve a new tunnel, before the acid inside finally ate through the tissue.

Taking careful aim, he squeezed the organ, spraying the acid inside into a circular area on the tunnel ceiling. Then, he toosed the spent organ away as it slowly melted. Looking up, he saw with satisfation that it was working perfectly. The acid had already eaten through the stone, and was now quickly working through the concrete.

Sarah had called in sick to her job when she had seen the strangers in the market place. She had returned to her home and locked the doors. She was pacing back in forth in the bunker when she heard a strange sound. She looked around and frowned. Then her gaze went down to the floor. "wh.." she muttered and pushed rugs out of the way. The floor was... melting. Sarah drew back from the hole that was forming.

A few moments later, the process seemed to be finished. "Beloved?" Gregor called out from the tunnel.

Sarah slowly moved to the hole. "Gregor?"

His features broke out into a huge grin. "See? Told you I'd make a hole," he joked softly. He then turned serious and continued. "Pack a bag of whatever you don't want to leave here. The visitors are here, and they are friendly to us. Gary, their Chief Diplomat has granted immediate asylum to all who oppose Green. They're moving my brothers and sisters to their ship as we speak! I came to bring you with us to safety....that is....if you want to go with me?"

Sarah took a moment to absorb what he said. "Yes. I will come with you. Give me time to pack."

Gregor nodded, smiling anew. "Okay, but hurry, my love. I'll wait here."

Sarah darted through her house gathering items and packing them into two duffle bags along with clothes, books and albums of photos. A small box with her ancestors military medals went in on top and she zipped it tight. Slinging one over her shoulder she took one last look around and headed back to the bunker. She locked the door behind her and moved to the hole again. "Gregor? Are you there?"

"I'm still here, Beloved." He replied, stepping into the light. "Toss your bags down, then climb down to me. I'll catch you."

Sarah did as he requested gently lowering the bags into the hole to him and then she slid down into it herself and felt his hands grasp her as she dropped the last few feet.

As soon as his hands felt her, Gregor pulled Sarah into a loving embrace. While his brothers and sisters were important to him, Sarah was everything. With her by his side, he felt that he could do anything. He hoped that she felt the same.

After a few beats, he whispered into her ear, "We'll be safe soon, my love. And then we will no longer need to hide our love for one another." He pulled back slightly and kissed her, drawing strength from her closeness.

Sarah smiled and nodded. She picked up her bags and said "lead on"

Smiling back, Gregor took the larger of the bags in one hand, Sarah's hand in the other, and quickly led her through his world. He had always hoped to show it to her fully, however, if this short trip was all she saw and his people were rescued, it would just have to be enough.

Less than an hour later, the couple finished crossing the river and finally made it back to Home. Gregor found it so strange, the quiet. It was very emotional. Seeing Gary and the young woman (Whavi was her name?) were waiting there, as promised.

Gazing out over the still village, Gregor said, "It...it's never been...so quiet."

"Its... vast" Sarah whispered as they moved into the area.

Baeryn turned from Gary as she heard footsteps slowly approaching. She was still standing, restless as she was in anticipation for Gregor's return. When she caught site of the woman accompanying him she lightened her expression to a welcoming and gentle one.

Gary followed Baeryn's gaze and saw Gregor and a woman come into view. "Looks like he found his mate." Gary said off handily.

Gregor moved over to where Gary snd Whavi were standing. "Gary, Whavi, this is my mate, Sarah. Sarah, this is Gary, the Chief Diplomat that I was telling you about."

"Sarah." Gary replied pleasantly, "May I introduce Lt. Baeryn Whavi. She is the Chief Operations Officer aboard the Elysium."

Sarah inclined her head. "Hello"

Baeryn smiled and dipped her head slightly in greeting. "It's a pleasure to meet you Sarah."

As introductions were made, Gregor looked out over the quiet village again. "All of my people are safe, Gary?"

Gary nodded, "All are safely aboard the Elysium. As I promised." He finished with a smile.

Gregor inhaled deeply, then let it out slowly. Once he wS done, he said, "Gary, please bring Sarah and me to my people." He then reached out and grasped Sarah's hand. "Stand ready, Beloved."

Gary nodded and tapped his combadge, =^= Taylor to Elysium, four to beam up.=^= He turned to Gregor and Sarah, "The rest of your lives starts now." As he waited for the transporter beam to claim them.

Seconds later, a soft humming sound suddenly began to fill the cavern. Then, Gregor gasped as the energy beam took hold of his body.

Sarah closed her eyes as the beam took her as well, She scrunched them shut tight and clenched her fists.

As soon as his view of the cavern disappeared, the view of a new room filled Gregor's vision. While the process felt like an eternity, it was actually only a few beats long, from start to finish. Gulping in air, he looked over at Gary and Whavi, wide-eyed. "How...how often do you do that?!"

Gary smiled at the question. "Sometimes quite often depending on the situation and the mission." He admitted.

Sarah was silent as she looked around, stunned into silence. She just stared in shock.

Baeryn chuckled, “Pretty often actually. It’s a rather convenient source of transportation.”

Shaking his head in amazement, Gregor replied. "Unbelievable! Though, I am glad the Green and his industrial machine has yet to discover this technology. I shudder to think how he would employ it."

"As am I but I feel it is inevitable that he will eventually discover it." Gary replied sagely.

"I.. hope not. It would be bad if he does" Sarah said softly. "He would use to to take over other planets and more, to kill people..."

Baeryn gestured towards the exit of the transporter room. “Come, let’s reunite you with your people.” Turning towards Gary, a look of uncertainty shadowed her eyes, “After we see that Gregor and his people are situated, will you accompany me while I explain this to Carrington?”

"Of course I will. Perhaps it might be better if I explain it to the Captain." Gary proposed, wishing to spare the younger officer any possible anger that Carrington might have over this course of action.

"However..." He said as a smile spread over his features, "Let's show Gregor and Sarah some of the wonders of their new world before they rejoin their people." He turned to Gregor and Sarah, "How would you both like to see some of the new world, you've entered."

Gregor looked first at Sarah and smiled, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. He then looked back at Gary. "Yes, please!"

Sarah nodded in agreement.

"Excellent. Then please follow myself and Baeryn, First stop the holodeck."

Gregor nodded,and gently pulled Sarah along as they followed Gary and Baeryn out of the room and into a corridor. "How big is your ship?"

"The Elysium is 1062 meters long and has thirty seven decks." Gary answered casually as he and Baeryn led their guests to the holodeck.

Gregor's eyes nearly bugged out, as he did the calculations in his head. "That's more volume than the entire capitol! How many...." he stopped speaking as a pair of aliens, one a female Klingon, the other, a male Bolian, walked past in conversation. They stopped long enough to greet Gary and Baeryn, and then gave polite smiles to Gregor and Sarah, who were nearly staring at them.

Sarah's eyes sparked as she watched the aliens. "So many different races." she said with wonder. "What races were they?"

Gary spoke up. "The female was a Klingon and the male was a Bolian." He explained, "You'll see a lot of different races on the Elysium. We have quite the diverse crew."

"Some of us are even hybrids from different species. I, for instance, am half human and half Betazoid."Baeryn added while giving them a moment to process this information.

Gregor was amazed. "And...forgive me my ignorance...this is something that is common? Cross-species breeding, I mean. No one tries to stop it or says it's wrong?" Fearing his words might be mistaken, he quickly followed up with, "Again, forgive me. I'm not implying that I think it's wrong. Because I don't. Live under Green's policies your whole life, and you'd ask the same questions."

"It isn't something you see every day nor is it rare." Gary replied, "And no one tries to stop it. We like to think we're more enlightened than to do that. Plus we're dealing with adults and trust them to make responsible decisions."

"That's amazing!" Gregor replied. "And...what about illness? My people and I all have various medical issues."

Sarah listened silently as Gregor and the Commander spoke, her own gaze was drawn all around them, taking in the sight of a clean starship

"Your illnesses will all be evaluated by our medical staff with treatment and care options provided." Gary replied.

"You...you can cure us?" Gregor asked hesitantly. He knew that everyone on the planet was sick. Well, almost everyone. Green and his upper echelon managed to go about their lives with barely even a sniffle. Several of his brothers and sisters were very sick. While he hiped for a miracle, he had doubts that all could be saved, even by the apparently miraculous Elysium and her crew.

As if reading his mind and his doubts, Gary replied. "We will give it our best shot to cure everyone and those we can't cure we can make life better for. I assure you of that."

Gregor was cautious about asking his next question. "And...what will it cost us? We have no money. Most of my people are too sick to work in your labor force." He sighed softly and noddes to himself, before adding, "I give myself, to be your servant, Gary." He looked very humbled and lowered his eyes in obedience. "Heal my people, make comfortable those you can't, and I will be yours." He knelt down in front of Gary.

Gary was speechless at both Gregor's words and his actions. They took him by surprise for an instant, but he quickly recovered. He placed his hands on Gregor's shoulders. "Get up Gregor, you are not my or anyone's servant nor is Sarah or any of your people. We will help you and your people because it is the right thing to do. All I ask from you and your people is your friendship." As he stuck his right hand out for Gregor to shake.

Hearing the sincerity in Gary's words, Gregor looked back at Sarah, then stood as he looked at Gary with new eyes. "If you can do what you claim for my people, Gary, we will be more than friends." He recahed out and grasped rhe other man's right forearm and pulled him in. "We will be brothers."

"Nothing would please me more." Gary answered sincerely at hearing Gregor's statement. "I think you and your people will be pleasantly surprised at what we can do."

Smiling softly and nodding once, Gregor released Gary's forearm and reached back for Sarah's hand. "Then, please, let us begin."