The future is nigh - part 4

Posted on Thu Nov 17th, 2022 @ 7:12am by Commander Sthilg & Lieutenant Commander Alicia Kelea-Salik & Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen [Taylor]

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Sthilg family home.
Timeline: The future
1611 words - 3.2 OF Standard Post Measure

Sthilg couldn't sleep. He tried first in his own bed and then on the floor outside Alicia and Savar's room. His brain wouldn't let him sleep. What if this was all a plan to get to him and his family.

Despite his best effort he'd made enemies in his long life and many of them since he took his position as head of starfleet medical and accepted the post of the surgeon general.

Now he was keeping himself busy giving drinks and food to the security detail and now was sitting out by the fire pit watching the stars.

“Dad?” Alicia’s sleepy voice came from the doorway where she stood propped up against the door frame, leaning on the frame she had to practice walking. She’d heard someone moving around, and sensed her father’s presence. “Are you alright?”

Sthilg was at his daughter's side in seconds. " Little one you ssshoudn't be up." he said his voice dripping with concern as he helped supporter her. " Jussst your old dad thinking that'sss all."

Alicia smiled before stifling a yawn. “I felt you were troubled, my body may not be up to par, but my senses are back to full strength. I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

" Jussst thinking my dear." Sthilg said as he gently picked her up and placed her down in a chair by the firepit. " Your mothersss on her way home. I had an old friend pick her up. " He said warmly as he used a stick to prod the fire gently.

“Let me guess, there’s only one person you’d trust with mum’s wellbeing.” Alicia smiled. “It’s Phoenix isn’t it?”

The gorn nodded. " Am i that predictable? " He jokingly replied as he offered her his real hand to hold.

“No” Alicia grinned as she held her father’s hand. “It’s just Phoenix is the most trusted friend you have, and she’s godmother to my sister too. Who better to escort mum home?”

" Indeed we been through a lot and there no one i'd rather have by my ssside. It'sss been far to long sssince we've ssseen each other.

Alicia smiled until a loose log on the fire shifted, in an instant the flash of the fire triggered a memory of her so-called accident setting off a panic attack. She gasped for air, everything spun, she couldn’t even hear what her father was saying.

Sthilg was at his daughter's side in seconds wrapping his arms around her as his artificial hand injected her with a cocktail of drugs to calm her. " It's alright dad'ss got you." he said softly as he held her tightly.

Alicia slowly calmed down, her breathing eased, as the drugs did their work she became aware of her surroundings again. For a few minutes she simply lay her head against Sthilg’s chest, feeling safe in his embrace. “I...I’m sorry!” She held onto Sthilg’s arm. “It all just came flooding back...the fire...” She said nothing more she just closed her eyes, and concentrated on the sound of Sthilg’s heartbeat.

Savar heard the commotion and Alicia's gasp and was instantly awake and by his wife's side. "Alicia, Father, is everything alright?"

Alicia opened her eyes giving Savar a teary look. “One of the logs on the fire shifted...” she looked towards the fire. “It was like I was there all over again!” She looked back at Savar.

Savar moved to her, his hands going to her. "Everything is alright now Alicia." He looked to Sthilg, "Thank you Father for taking care of Alicia. Would you both care for some hot tea or perhaps some hot chocolate, I find it very relaxing."

Alicia nodded. “A hot chocolate please Imzadi, it’ll calm my nerves and hopefully help me sleep.”

I shall see to it Alicia, I shall even put in some little marshmallows that you like so much." Savar answered warmly wanting nothing more than to calm Alicia and let her feel safe and loved.

" My usual brew isss in it'sss usssual place ssson." Sthilg replied warmly referring to his extra-strong doctor's coffee.

"Yes Father. Would you like me to put some marshmallows in it for you as well?" Savar teased. His sense of humor having improved over the years.

Alicia grinned. Savar knew just how to make her smile. “I’ll have marshmallows please Imzadi.”

"Your wish is my command Alicia, Marshmallows you want, marshmallows you shall have." Savar answered with a smile directed to Alicia.

" None for me. I'm fat enough as it isss." The gorn jokily replied.

“Nonsense!” Alicia grinned. “I think you’re a fine figure of a Gorn father.” She smiled as she looked towards Savar now she was feeling better. “Thank you Imzadi.”

"You are welcome, Alicia." Savar answered as he prepared Alicia's hot chocolate complete with tiny marshmallows and Sthilg's coffee without marshmallows. "Here you go Alicia, be careful it is hot, Father your coffee as he handed Sthilg his cup,

“Thank you Savar” Alicia smiled as she took her drink with a slightly shaky hand. She held it with two hands as she blew it, and took a small sip before putting the cup down to let her drink cool.

You are most welcome Alicia. I hope it helps to calm you." Savar answered as he hovered by her side, ready to assist her at a moment's notice.

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Meanwhile.

Phoenix flagship.

Deanna sat relaxing in the seat next to Phoenix, in her time aboard the Elysium over the years she’d gotten to know the woman as a colleague, and friend. “Thank you for this Phoenix, I appreciate you escorting me home.”

Phoenix smiled. "no problem. I like getting out from behind a desk on occasion."

Deanna smiled. “I can imagine that’s frustrating after being aboard a ship for so long.”

"It is but it has its pluses, like being home for dinner most nights." Phoenix smiled.


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Sthilg was just about to pick up Alicia when the light of a transport appeared in the courtyard. His hand quietly went to his phaser before the sight before him brought a smile to his face. Running over and grabbing his wife in a bear hug the gorn rubbed his head against her's as he welcomed his wife home. " Nver leave again." He said softly under his voice.

Deanna hugged her husband tightly, it had seemed like forever since she’d last been at his side. “That I promise! I’ve missed you Imzadi.”

Looking over at her companion the gorn smiled at his old friend. " Cap.." He began before correcting himself. " Admiral thank you for doing thisss for me."

Deanna smiled at Phoenix. “I’ll set you up a room for the night, saves you travelling all that way back again. In-fact you’re welcome to stay for as long as you like.”

"I would but I have to get back, my children and Mattias are waiting. I can however spend the night" Phoenix said. She gave Sthilg a hug.

Savar pushed Alicia over to greet Admiral Lalor. "Admiral it is most agreeable to see you again." He said as they drew closer.

" Well come on let your old friend get some decent food into you." Sthilg said as he walked over and kicked some dirt onto the fire before turning and began heading back into the house.

Alicia smiled warmly as she looked up at Phoenix, it had been a while since she’d last seen her ex-commanding officer. “It’s nice to see you again Admiral.”

"Nice to see you both,. You are looking well Alicia" Phoenix bent down and kissed Alicia's cheek in greeting.

“Thank you Phoenix” Alicia smiled giving her friend a hug.

Savar spoke again. "Admiral, you are looking well." With typical Vulcan brevity of words.

She gave him a warm smile as she straightened up. "How have you been Savar?"

"I am well Admiral. Thank you for asking." Savar replied concisely and to the point.

Sthilg opened the door to his family home leading the way towards the dining room. " Anything I can get you Phoenix? " he inquired.

The Erisian shook her head. "Thank you but no thanks" she said with a smile.

The gorn nodded as he closed the door behind them. Looking over the valley he could see storm clouds on the horizon. Something big was coming he was sure of that.

Alicia too noticed the clouds. “A storm? Wouldn’t the weather control system have sorted that?” She looked at her father concernedly.

Savar gazed at the gathering storm clouds. :Most curious." He finally spoke.

" They did sssay there were taking a few of the sssatellitesss and manipulators down over the next month for annual repairsss." Sthilg replied as he looked at the clouds. " Mussst be our areasss turn."

Alicia nodded. “Guess we need to batter down the hatches then!” She grinned. “Isn’t that the saying when there’s a storm on the way?”

Sthilg nodded. " I'll handle it. " he said warmly.

Savar addressed Alicia, "I believe the correct phrase is batten down the hatches Alicia and yes, we should make preparations to be ready if the storm does not abate."

" You go to bed you two I can handle it. Besssiedsss sssomeone has to let the protection team know." The good doctor replied.

“Yes father” Alicia smiled as she stifled a yawn. She tired easily since her accident. “See you in the morning.”

" Good night." Sthilg said as he waved to them before looking round. Where had he put the manual for the house's systems? He had some work to do.