"Passages"
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Stardate: 60341.0345
Even with the heightened tension on the bridge, since the receipt of the
Cardassian SOS. The CEO/XO had decided that a rotation of the bridge crew
was necessary to maintain top proficiency. Derek on his rotation sat in the
center of his quarters, once again using the relaxation techniques taught to
him by his mother.
The room was dark, lit only by the lone bowel candle in front of him.
Into this candle he placed the special herbs that gave off a sweet pungent
smell of pine. His mind slowly slipping away to his private inner place.
He found himself in a field of grass. Looking around he noticed the ancient
EARTH Tee-Pee. Walking towards it he was surprised to see his mother waiting
to welcome him. On a perch next to her was the Falcon that represented his
own spirit guide, and at her feet laid the frost white she-wolf that was his
mother's guide.
"My son... I hoped we would find time together," she said as she led him
inside.
In Stormwind's mind he knew he was still aboard the USS HATHOR, in deep space
and far from EARTH... Yet a part of his mind also knew he was here, at this
time. "Mother it is good to see you, although I find this image and timing
hard to accept."
"Ahhh Dee... You have so much of your father in you. Yet you must always
remember, I am also a part of you, and always will be. My son, I am here to
pass to you all that I am, all that I was... for it is time."
"I do not understand, mother." The half human FCO stated. "It is time for
what?"
"It is my time, and your time, in my tribe son, I was a Shaman. Did you ever
wonder why you could see my wolf, or later your own beautiful Falcon? It is
because your human half has a part of my spiritual powers. They are also
part of the reason why you were able to become one of the youngest Vulcans
to be a certified Katra carrier."
Derek just stared at the image of his mother.
"Dee... soon you will know much. For now know this, you are headed into the
unknown, and into the future. People will soon look at you differently.
Because you will see, and sense, even know things without knowing why you
do. The why for this my son is... me. For I have sent to you my very
essence, to aid you in becoming that which you so much desire."
"The Vulcan Ensign stood , his mind reeling in confusion..." And what
mother... is it you feel I desire?"
"Why to become a true Vulcan, like your father of course. My son... my time
with you is up. You will understand... in time."
As he stood there his mind a mass of questions, everything began to fade.
His mother smiling upon him as she slowly faded away. And like that he was
back in his quarters. He bent down picking up the candle and as he blew it
out he noticed in the shadow... a frost white wolf with a falcon perched
upon its back. It was then that he knew.
=/\= Bridge to Ensign Stormwind. =/\=
"Stormwind here."
=/\= Report to the Captain's Ready Room. =/\=
"On my way."
-------
The Romulan-Hybrid had just returned to her quarters and was just about to
again try to get some rest.
=/\= Captain... Priority message from Starfleet Command for you. =/\=
"Very Well..." She turned her monitor to her as she keyed in her personal
code to unlock the message. As she read the message a look of sadness filled
her face. As the Captain of a ship she had many different responsibilities,
and she could honestly say that this was the one she hated the most. Because
it not only affected the person receiving it, it also often affected the
whole crew... and to have it happen now, with all the uncertainty of this
mission. Well at least she did not have to be alone when she passed on this
information.
"Communications... Please have Ensigns Mei and Stormwind report to my Ready
Room."
=/\= Aye aye Ma'm. =/\=
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Ensign Stormwind entered the room. Stepping up in front of the desk, he
stood to attention. "You wished to see me Captain?"
The blond haired woman looked up at the Vulcan Ensign. "Yes Mister
Stormwind... do you know Ensign Mei?" She asked as she glanced toward the
young woman standing off to the side.
Derek turned, the only change in _expression was a slightly raised eyebrow.
He nodded formally to her. "Counsellor a pleasure to meet you."
Susan nodded back at the Vulcan half-breed. "Ensign Stormwind."
Turning back to the Captain, he waited for her to continue.
Serenna glanced at Susan, as if to ask her *how / where do I begin*. Turning
back to the tall Ensign she let out a barely audible sigh...
"Thank you Captain, but it is unnecessary for you to feel discomfort. My
mother was aged even for a Terran."
Looking at Stormwind both women showed a surprise on their faces, though the
young Captain was quickest to recover.
"How... how did you know why I called you in?" she asked quietly.
Speaking almost without _expression. "With no disrespect... How I knew/know
my mother has passed... I do not think you would believe... let alone
understand. I do however thank you for telling me officially."
Serenna's eyes faded almost to their green color, shocked as she was at his
seeming callousness. But she remembered he was indeed half Vulcan.
"Under other circumstances I could allow you leave to go home but..."
"But this mission must come first, as it should. My mother would not forgive
me for abandoning my shipmates, or leaving a crewmate behind... not even for
her. Request permission to return to duty."
"Permission granted Ensign," she said with a soft sigh.
Stormwind nodded to both young women and exited the Ready Room to resume his
duty station.
Serenna looked over at Ensign Mei. "Well Counsellor, what do you think?"
Susan slowly shook her head. "Captain he is a hard one to read. I know most
Vulcans can compartmentalize there emotions for later reflection. But he is,
as we have often seen half-human and not always in control. I would have
expected more of a reaction from him."
"Do you think his current mind-set could jeopardize the mission? Will he be
able to hold it together when things fall apart?"
Mei stared at the door as if she could see through it to the FCO's station.
"Ma'm, I just don't know. I will set up a couple of meetings with him and
see what happens. I just do not have enough information... yet."
"Very well Ensign. keep an eye on him and let me know should anything
change."
"Yes Ma'm," the Counsellor said as she exited.
Serenna leaned back in her chair. The timing for this could not be worse,
rushing as they were at over warp 8 to SURIAL III, with an unknown alien
species attacking the Cardassians. This was no time to lose her FCO.
Well only time would tell, and all she could do was wait.
----- 2006 post #044
Setting: USS HATHOR, Crews Quarters
Stardate: 60341.0410
Setting: USS HATHOR, Serrena's Quarters
Stardate: 60341.0425
Setting: USS HATHOR, Captain's Ready Room
Brian Matthews
as
Ensign Derek Stormwind
FCO
USS HATHOR
