Welcome to Niea IV

Posted on Fri Apr 10th, 2026 @ 8:37am by Civilian Teevs Dosivi & Captain Gary Taylor & Commander Kyle Reece & Lieutenant Commander N'vok Holv & Lieutenant Anna Esquivias & Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Major George Charles [Reece]

Mission: Season 6: Episode 7: Crossroads of Destiny
Location: Bridge
Timeline: MD1 1015
1479 words - 3 OF Standard Post Measure

There was an air of excitement across the ship. The last few months brought suffering and damage, not at all helped by the fight against the Galatonians only three weeks ago, and repairs had been slow going. The Elysium being directed to Teevs’ homeworld meant a chance to get off the ship and stretch some legs. It also meant a chance to replenish supplies, and departments were compiling their lists.

Kyle stood at his station on the bridge, looking over the various internal security updates that came in. For the first time in a while, things seemed to be quiet...calm...normal. He found the change in feel refreshing.

Since the battle, and during the repairs, he and Harper had grown closer and closer. They had started to talk about the future, and for the first time ever, he could actually see a future. Sure, he and Elizabeth had started talking about a future together, however, they were both heavy into their careers and that would have limited wht they did. Then there was Vanessa. That love had been more passion in the moment. They had never even discussed settling down any.

With Harper though, Kyle finally felt that feeling of completion. When he looked at her, he could see what his parents had always told him, about when the right woman comes along, you'll know it. He definitely knew it. Reaching down to his right front pocket, he felt the impression of the rung that he had spent nearly a month's of replimat rations for. He just needed to find the perfect moment to ask her properly.

The turbolift doors slid open and George stepped onto the bridge. He carried a PADD in one hand and stepped over to the ship's CO. "Commodore, here's the updated readiness reports on the starfighter wing. All birds and pilots, Starfleet and Romulan alike, are ready for deployment on your orders, Ma'am."

Phoenix nodded. "Good, lets hope it is not needed."

N'vok arrived and paused to observe the view on the central screen, his report momentarily forgotten.

On the viewscreen was the first glimpses of the star system. A massive red giant at its centre, three small terrestrial bodies, and two gas giants, one a tan colour and one with shades of blue and purple. From their distance, two rings could just barely be seen around the tan giant.

"Sir," the officer at the helm spoke up. "We're approaching the Thilia system and will enter the system in three minutes."

"Once inside the system, drop to impulse and bring us through the passage Mr Teevs gave us" Phoenix ordered.

"Aye, Commodore," the officer replied.

Having offered to assist in communications, Teevs had been lingering near the back of the bridge. He was both excited and nervous to see home, his home. He had spent a significant amount of time over the last 3 weeks making sure the crew knew his people's customs, what was socially acceptable and what wasn't. This almost felt like a test of his efforts.

Kyle glanced over at Teevs and, seeing the look on the other man's face, asked, "When was the last time you were home, Mister Teevs?"

Blinking, Teevs looked over to Kyle and gave a slightly embarrassed hint of a smile. "It's been five years, Mister Chief of Kyle," he admitted. "Too long."

Kyle smiled softly. "Well then, I'd say its a great time to go visit your family, feel your world around you again. Im sure your parents will be overjoyed to see their granddaughter again?"

Teevs gave a brief chuckle. He didn't even know what to expect, especially since Kerilia's ridge came in. To Kyle specifically, he had shared some of the political tensions on the planet and why it pushed him to travel. He wanted to provide as honest of an impression as he could. "Absolutely, especially after I told them that her ridge developed. I still might get in some trouble with them for staying away from home for so long, so if I call for backup, that is probably why!"

The big man chuckled, the sound rumbling deep in his chest. He then plasce his large right hand on Teevs' smaller shoulder as he replied. "You call, and I'll be there, friend."

Teevs chuckled at the response.

As the ship entered the system, the helm slowed to impulse, which allowed them to see each planet in detail. The furthest one from the star was a blue-violet colour, swirls in the gases signalling storms in its atmosphere. Some of its moons contrasted against the gas as tiny dots that almost looked like dust on the viewscreen. Next was a planet that looked very similar to Saturn, with shades of tan and orange in its atmosphere, and two rings instead of one. The first rocky planet was seen at a little more of a distance due to the adjusted approach, but it had huge ice caps on its poles and some space traffic around it.

Once the ship got past the asteroid belt, the next planet came into view. The single supercontinent was in its waning hours of night, the morning sun starting to touch a couple of the easternmost islands. There was much more traffic around this planet, the vessels in orbit almost forming an artificial ring around the planet.

Seeing his planet, Teevs couldn't help but take a couple steps forward as he took it in.

The officer at the helm watched the many vessels in orbit and gave an impressed little nod. The information from Teevs had said to keep their distance at first and to let Niea Orbital Control tell them where to go, so he slowed the ship further as they reached their recommended distance.

Almost as if on cue, the chirp of a communications request rang out.

"Incoming hail, ma'am," Anna announced. "It's Niea Orbital Control."

"On Screen" Came the calm reply

An older and balding Lonian male appeared on the viewscreen, his focus on a console out of view. He had a golden-toned uniform with two pips on the collar. ”Niea Orbital Control to unidentified vessel. Identify yourselves and state your intent.”

"I am Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson, Commanding Officer of the USS Elysium. We are journeying to our home galaxy and mean you no harm. We were told your people were friendly and we were hoping to visit your world,"

Gary listened silently to the exchange and then waited to see what came next. Would Orbital Control and the people of the world they were approaching be as friendly as Teevs said? It sounded too good but he kept an open mind.

The Lonian on the screen looked up at the video feed when he heard the ship name. Somewhere else in the room, someone quietly commented that the ship really was as big as the approach request had claimed. The mention of their journey made the man raise a brow. What kind of species was this to attempt travel to another galaxy?

Another man in a gold uniform came over, four pips on his collar. He had come from the central ring in the background. "Elysium, we've been anticipating your arrival. I'm Colonel A'arel Tevon, the on-duty station commander. Sub-Lieutenant Seerak here will transmit the orbital vectors. We're keeping your vessel at a distance of 3200 km in case any debris from your damage breaks loose. You'll get the transporter clearance in a few minutes. We like to make sure the ship makes it here first." With that, he flashed a brief, friendly smile.

From his position at the Security Control Station, Kyle listened to the back and forth conversation between the Lonian Colonel and Commodore Lalor-Richardson. The man seemed as amicable as Teevs had told them, though he felt a stab of protective anger at how callous the man seemed when he spoke about the Elysium and her current physical condition. Of all the ships he had served on in his career, Elysium was the one that felt most like home to him. He realized that it most likely was due to the fact that he was the only officer aboard who was an original member of her maiden voyage crew. She and he had been to the gates of hell and back more times than he could count, yet she always held firm and protected as much of her crew as she could. Few starfhips in the fleet could survive what all had been thrown at her, and still be flying.

"Of Course and any documentation you have around your cultural expectations would be greatly appreciated we do not wish to cause offence." Phoenix said to the Colonel on the screen.

With a nod, Tevon looked to the sub-lieutenant. "We'll send over our visitor's guide. Welcome to our planet, and we hope you enjoy your visit."