Saved for a Rainy Day

Posted on Fri Apr 14th, 2023 @ 12:02pm by Lieutenant Commander Rin

Mission: Season 6: Episode 2: Survival
Location: USS Endurance with flashbacks to Jaxia II
Timeline: Current mission with flashback to 34 years ago.
946 words - 1.9 OF Standard Post Measure

The sky of Jaxia II was a remarkable sight, full of swirling colors as electromagnetic storms swept across the northern half of the planet. It was those storms which had brought the away team here, triggered by changes in the system’s central star and interacting with the biology of the planet’s environment.

However, by the 8th day, no one was appreciating it anymore. Pouring rain – which was part of the planet’s normal weather pattern, independent of the storms – was nearly non-stop, hard enough to leave someone soaking wet if they were out in it for more than a couple minutes.

They had known they would be stranded for a few days when they had been beamed down; the electromagnetics would disrupt all communications. However, the storm had only been expected to last about three days. In fact, all evidence suggested communications should be operational. And yet, here they were, unable to hail the ship that should be sitting in orbit over the planet. Which meant all they could do was wait.

Finally, communication badges chirped to life. “USS Dionne to London away team. Can you read me?”

The team leader slapped his badge. “This is Lt. James Addison. We read you,” he replied hastily, as if the voice might give up and move on if he didn’t immediately reply.

“Sorry for the delay,” the voice continued. “We’re ready to beam your team aboard.”

“Understood,” James replied. “We can have everything packed within the hour.”

“Negative. We’re beaming you aboard now. We’ll send another team down to recover your equipment.”

Everyone in the shelter’s common area exchanged looks. No one wanted to spend another moment there, but the arrival of the Dionne was odd. What was the hurry, and where was the London?

“Understood.”

A few moments later they were all on the transporter pad of the Dionne, where a security crewman awaited them. “Welcome aboard. I’ve been asked to bring you to Captain Nazira as soon has you’ve had a chance to change into dry clothes.”

“Can you tell us what is this about?” Addison asked.

“The Captain prefers to speak with you directly.”

Again, the away team exchanged looks. Had it been something routine, they certainly would not need to speak with the captain. And the vibe on board the Dionne was… disconcerting. Something was off. Nothing any of them could put their finger on, but there was something in the air. Something…dreadful. None of them were willing to speculate, but each silently acknowledged each other’s concerns as they marched out to change clothes and be led to the conference room.

Nazira was already there and asked them all to take seats. “You’re going to hear a lot about this in the coming days and months, and I wanted to make sure you heard it from me.”

Something cracked in the captain’s voice. Her face was stiff, but they could see something tugging at the corners of her mouth, and her tired gaze didn’t quite meet any of theirs.

“Four days ago, a race known as the Borg attempted to attack Earth. A fleet of ships, including the London, was recalled to stop them. While Earth was spared, it is my sad duty to report the fleet was destroyed. The London was lost with all hands.”

Lost with all hands.

“I’m very sorry for your loss.”

Friends. Colleagues.

“Every one of them died a hero.”

Wife.

James didn’t hear much after that. Something about counselors and indefinite leave and…whatever. His hands and feet were numb, his chest tight. He idly wondered if he was having a heart attack. Maybe that was for the best.

He and Nicola had married shortly before graduation so they would be placed together. That was the point: they were going to face the universe together. Except they didn’t. Not in the end. In the end, she had died while he had been bemoaning the weather of Jaxia II.

Someone once had the nerve to tell him how lucky he was to have been on that away mission. He had punched them in the face for it.

Now, 34 years later, Captain Addison sat alone in his ready room, glass of scotch in hand, string out the window into the vastness of space. Beside him lay a PaDD. “Lt. Rin, USS Elysium, MIA,” it read, alongside an unflattering image of her.

No. The universe cannot possibly be that cruel.

Her body hadn’t been found. And while a good amount of wreckage had been located, it was not so much as to guarantee the Elysium had been destroyed. Had the filament simply destroyed the ship, there should be more wreckage, albeit potentially spread out over a large area as it had been dragged along. So far, however, such a thing had not been found.

He knew her parents had been notified, but he hadn’t yet reached out to them. He didn’t know what to say. He hadn’t told Katie yet either. Part of the reason he was hiding out in his ready room was to try and put words together. But mostly he just wanted silence so he could collect his throughts. And maybe drink himself into a stupor.

I’m not writing you off as dead this time.

He wasn’t sure who he might share that opinion with. People would insist he was unrealistic. After all, Starfleet did not casually write people off as dead.

And yet.

Wherever you are, Rin, please find your way home.