Departure

Posted on Wed May 1st, 2019 @ 6:53am by Commander Liselle Qwyyn & Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Captain Gary Taylor & Lieutenant Commander Aurelia Taylor

Mission: Episode 1: Hell is a four letter word
Location: Docking Hatch 2
Timeline: MD 3 - 06h00
1263 words - 2.5 OF Standard Post Measure

ON

The docking hatch rolled slowly open and Liselle Qwyyn found herself looking into her own eyes.

"I see you got up early to make sure you got here before me," Merella said to her. She gave a sad little shake of her head. "Not early enough, I'm afraid."

"Merry, is this how you're going to be the entire trip back to Trill?" Qwyyn practically hissed, the frustration for her twin sister already coming to a boil.

"Oh, I'm not going with you," she said plainly, chucking a thumb over her shoulder and into the shuttle beyond. "Sorry, Lizard. But the problem is: I know that you want me to come with you. So, that's a no go for that reason alone."

"Excuse me?"

Merella rolled her eyes. "If I accompany your little entourage back to Trill then my interviews of your crew, fully sanctioned by the Symbiosis Commission I'll remind you, stop as of now. But there are still so many questions to ask. So many things to learn from the crew of the Elysium. Unless...there's some secret you're hoping to keep me from finding? You always were so good at secrets."

Liselle nearly reached out to bodily grab her sister and pull her from the hatch, but somehow she managed to keep her wits about her. For how much longer she would manage such a feat, she didn't dare test. "Enjoy your inquiry of my friends. I trust I'll see you back on Trill in time for the ceremony?"

Her sister shrugged indifferently. "Oh sure. By the time your little crew is finished playing tourist, I'll be along with my report. My very detailed report."

Qwyyn pulled in a breath, holding it high in her lungs. "Is there anything else?"

"Just a small question, actually. Purely curiosity. You have an ensign assigned to pilot this shuttle back to Trill?"

"Yes..." Qwyyn said, confused as to where this could possible be going.

"Isn't that supposed to be your job?" She laughed and brushed past Qwyyn, heading off into the swirling crowds beyond.

Gary arrived a few minutes later, He found Liselle inside the shuttle. Saw the look on her face and went to her, "Okay, I know that look. You want to throttle someone, I don't think it would be too much of a stretch to say your sister." He looked around, "Where is she?"

"In here," Qwyyn spat as she rapped two fingers against her skull. Immediately her features softened. Her hand fell. "I'm sorry. She just -- she gets to me. Gods, thirty-eight years. And she still gets to me."

"Siblings can do that with remarkable ease." He assured her. "You." He pointed at her, "Have to be smarter, you are smarter. She knows she can push your buttons and she does because you react. Don't react Don't give her ammunition Liselle."

"You're right." She sighed, and felt the frustration blowing out with the breath. "Thank you, Gary. Once we get underway and start putting some real distance between us, I'm sure I'll feel better. A lot better."

He nodded and smiled, "Thatagirl! I know you can do it. Soon your sister will be a distant memory." He assured her.

There was the sound of footsteps on the deck outside and what sounded like an arguement in a lyrical language, that some said sounded like chirping birds but others said was more musical. It ended with "MIRAN!" from the captain as she stalked in side "Sisters!" she snapped crossly in Federation Standard.

Given her own struggles, Qwyyn certainly couldn't resist butting into the Captain's outspoken thought. "What happened?"

Phoenix sighed. "She doesn't want to stay on DS9. She wants to go to earth like promised 4 missions ago!" She dropped her bag on the seat. "I should never have agreed to go to Earth to look into purchasing a house there. Its all I get every shore leave."

"Captain." Gary spoke up. "If Miran wants to go to Earth, I can arrange to have my parents meet her and take her to their ranch in Wyoming. It's got horses and plenty of open space. I'm sure she'd love it."

"Oh she would." Phoenix smiled. "But maybe next time. I am not giving in to a teenagers tantrums right now. I am sure I was not such a brat at 15." she gave Gary a thankful smile. "Now where is the rest of our group?"

Gary nodded and surrendered gracefully. "As you say maybe next time. The offer remains open." He looked around, "Couldn't say. I'm sure they will be along shortly."

That notion perked Liselle's ears suddenly. She realized she hadn't told the rest of them about Matias' replacement on their journey. Not that they necessarily needed to know all the details. For the moment, she found herself too overwhelmed with anxiety to volunteer the sorted details of her past. Perhaps once they left DS9 and she was confident that they were truly underway.

Taam had narrowly avoided running into Merella and the explosion that would no doubt bring on, and slid into the shuttle behind the others. He saw a couple of familiar faces, but decided to focus on Liselle, "Hi, sorry I'm late." He said, then whispered into Liselle's ear, "You okay?"

She reached up and patted his hand absently. "I'm fine. Thank you again for agreeing to this."

Standing at the back, Lia silently watched as life carried on. Her thoughts were with a small silver casket now winging its way across the universe, and the contents it contained.

Liselle couldn't help but notice the pain evident on in the woman's eyes. She thought to say something to her, but decide it best to wait until they were underway. Perhaps they could all use some distance.

"We're ready to set out," Qwyyn announced to the cabin at large. "Travel time to the Trill homeworld is approximately two and a half days. Your accommodations have been arranged by the Symbiosis Commission. I think you'll enjoy them." Her voice fell away. She cleared her throat. "The Zhin'tara will begin three days after our arrival. Before then, you're encouraged to explore the surrounding areas. I think you will find the beaches to be especially lovely. I'd be happy to show you all around." She rose to her feet to order the pilot to depart when a thought struck her. "I'm sorry, I forgot to introduce Taam. This is Taam Sor'el, he will standing in Matias' place during the Zhin'tara. Well then. I'll let the pilot know we're ready to go."

Gary bit his tongue kept from chuckling as Liselle told them of charms Trill had to offer. She sounded like a tour guide. He looked over at Taam and nodded. his eyes drifted over to Lia as she stood in the back. Their 'discussion' still fresh in his mind as was the hurt and anger.

Taam returned Gary's nod, they'd talk privately later, and readied himself for a long flight to a home he hadn't seen in years, ~Chasing latinum always leads you away, Taam.~

Catching Gary's look, Lia knew their personal problems were far from over. But what else could she do? Did staying really achieve anything? Maybe just maybe they could talk some more, but talking just made the situation worse.

OFF

Commander Liselle Qwyyn
Chief Flight Control / Second Officer
USS Elysium

Doctor Merella Swii
Appointed Representative - Trill Symbiosis Commission

Commander Gary Taylor
Executive Officer
USS Elysium

Captain Phoenix Lalor
Commanding Officer
USS Elysium

Taam Sor'el
Freighter Captain/Entrepreneur

Commander Lia Holmes
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Elysium