Moving forward - Part 1

Posted on Thu Jan 22nd, 2026 @ 11:25pm by Captain Daegan Baas & Petty Officer 2nd Class Sizia Sh'velihr [Baas] & Commander Jerome Hunt Jr. & Lieutenant Darius Korveth & Lieutenant Edruj Daughter of Thrawn & Lieutenant Urushi Yaotome & Lieutenant Niami Troga & Lieutenant Ayumu Tanaka & Lieutenant JG Christian Rogers & Lieutenant JG Jason Mallory & Lieutenant JG Ryan Kellerman
Edited on on Thu Jan 29th, 2026 @ 10:43pm

1,640 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: What was Lost is Found
Location: USS Valkyrie
Timeline: MD 6 - 1500

With the initial work done and the powers that be informed, it was time to chart a course for the future of the settlement below. The Federation was standing ready to lend assistance, but what did the people below want to do? Did they want to return to the Federation or the Romulan Empire? Did they want to stay? If they wanted to leave, where did the blended families want to go? If they wanted to stay, how much assistance did they want? How much would the Federation allow?

There wasn't enough seating in either the bridge conference room or the observation lounge so he had called Sizia, who was setting up the luncheon. As he walked in the they were finishing setting up the lower area as a conference area while others were still seeing to the food.

Entering the lounge, he nodded approvingly as he waited on everyone to arrive.

Darius had eaten a late lunch after doing a rather extensive Level 2 diagnostic analysis of the Valkyrie's tactical systems. He wasn't expecting trouble, nor were tactical systems his specialty; he'd done so more as an exercise. It had, as expected, turned up noting unusual. In fact, things were green across the board.

He'd even managed a light(and short) workout before reporting to the conference room. Word that it was going to be a luncheon had reached him too late. But he wasn't worried. He could always have a snack or just go without and focus on what the meeting was going to be about.

"Good afternoon, Captain," he said as he entered.

Niami, having a mug of tea in hand, walked inside, stifling a yawn behind her hand. She was tired, perhaps it was from being amongst the various members of the colony down on the planet. It also could be due to not having slept well either. Dreams had been plaguing her, they just didn't stay put in her mind for her to even remember them. Just something dancing on the edge of her subconsciousness. When she saw the others there, her face lit up, just happy to see them, a warm smile lighting up her face.

"Morning er well make that Afternoon." Niami greeted those there, taking a seat.

Edruj strode in with all the confidence of a Klingon. She had her hands full assisting with the colony. It was a lot of work, but for her it was worth it. Truly, it was the work that would bring her glory. She stopped in front of the Captain. "Captain, I am reporting as ordered."

"Glad to see you Lieutenant, but no need for the formality. Where is O'Riley?"

Edruj did not think she was being formal. It was the way to address a superior in both Starfleet, and in her culture. However, she also thought at times that humans were somewhat weird, and this must have been one of those times. She nodded her head by way of acknowledgement of what the Captain said. "Lieutenant O'Riley has chosen to oversee the repairs to the fusion reactor. He wanted to see to it personally and ordered me here." Edruj understood O'Riley's position. She often wanted to see a project through on her own as well.

The Captain looked to her. It was rather presumptuous to delegate what was basically a staff meeting to someone else but it wasn't her fault. "Very well, " gesturing to the table.

Ryan arrived several minutes later, moving quietly and carefully. He paused just inside the threshold, letting his eyes take in the rearranged space--the lowered tables, the choreography of the chairs, and the promising scent of food. He carried a PADD tucked under one arm--family records of the colonists. He hadn't been needed planet side so instead he had thrown himself into research, trolling through databases and service records to see which of the colonists may still have families.

He nodded to the others, offering a courteous smile before taking a seat near Niami. There was a softness to him today--relief, maybe, or perhaps the satisfaction of having found something to contribute even if it was somewhat invisible. For now, that was enough.

Darius was next to step in, unaware that Ryan had just arrived. His uniform was crisp and immaculate as it had just come out of the replicator.

He didn't avoid his husband, but he sat three seats down on the opposite side of the table, nodding a greeting at his fellow officers

Next through the doors was Urushi. The young Trill's eyes transfixed on a PADD as she walked. She made her way towards her usual seat and slid into it. Something had got her attention and it was evident that she was clearly invested.

With most everyone in the lounge all they were missing was Hunt and their guests. Tapping his badge, "Bass to Commander Hunt. Jerome if you are at a stopping point with the tour we are ready in the lounge.


[Bridge]

"We're on our way, Captain," Jerome replied. Turning his attention to their guest, he waved them over. "Please everyone, accompany me to the lounge."


[Valhalla Lounge]

Kurul and the others followed Commander Hunt from the ship's bridge to the large and open lounge. On the far side of the room were large windows looking forward as the ship orbited the planet. To one side, members of the ship's crew prepared what appeared to be a buffet. Seeing the Captain in a lower area, he smiled and stepped down to greet him once again. "Captain, you have an amazing ship."

Rogers didn't enter so much as was dragged in, Yuvana grasping his arm in an escort position. His steps were slow to match hers. He glanced around the room, trying very hard not to look exasperated at the extended contact and "diplomacy". He wasn't sure why the universe was punishing him, but he must have done something incredibly bad to have deserved this. Though he did see one person that he needed to have a quick word with about "snooping" in areas other than his own.

Not far behind them was Doctor Tanaka, having arrived of his own volition (thank you very much) following an unexpectedly quick screening of the critical patients; seeing as the worst of those admitted was the gentlemen with the segmented fracture (of whom had already been operated upon and returned to his family), his screenings were now averaging about two to three minutes from admission to dismissal, which was certainly a pleasant change of pace from the previous assignment; he'd much rather be helping people who actually had a chance at surviving as opposed to being ripped to shreds by... whatever it was those abominations were supposed to be.

As the Administrator approached Baas took his hand once again, "Thank you. I'm glad you like her. Would you like something to drink? Water, tea, perhaps some Kali-fal?"

The surprise in his face was clear. "I thought Romulan alcohol was illegal in the Federation?"

Baas smiled as he capped a hand on the Romulan's shoulder. "A lot has changed over the years." Looking the work still taking place in setting up the food for later he called out. "Sizia!", waving her over.

"Yes sir?"

"Could you get the Administrator some Kali-fal...and have a bottle for him to take back to the surface?"

"No problem at all." Look to the others from the surface and the of the staff, "Can I get anything for anyone else?"

"Seeing as you're offering, I could probably go for a Lida Spritzer," Doctor Tanaka requested. "Non-alcoholic, if possible; I still need to be on hand in case I'm needed down in sickbay."

After nodding to the CMO, Sizia headed off to get the drinks and a few bottles of water and glasses for the table just in case.

Dareem lingered near the edge of the lounge, close enough to the windows that he could see the arc of the planet. Kril'es turned beneath them, familiar and fragile--but home. It was a world that survived by being almost forgotten. He watched the Valkyrie's crew move about easily and confidently, setting out food as if hospitality were some strategy. When he heard the word Kali-fal, his brow lifted slightly. Illegal, once. Thought dangerous, once. Everything here seemed to live in some strange place between once and now.

He accepted a glass when it was offered, but didn't drink. Dareem's mind was still focused on something deeper and darker: how he might take his place among his people once again.

There had been a small anomaly in the ship's power output. When Darius noticed it, he thought it was probably just a minor glitch or possibly his imagination. It had been monetary, but he never made assumptions. Technically, is was more of an operations issue, but he'd checked it out anyway.

As expected, it had been minor; a simple adjustment was all that was needed. But it had delayed his arrival. He stepped into the room with his usual ready smile.

Operations had been busy since their arrival on the planet, and now was no exception. A mis-step during his workout this morning had him slightly limping, and it had taken two of the operations crew members to remind Jason he was supposed to be at the luncheon, so he was about the last to arrive after Darius. Taking a moment to look over the assembled, Jason stepped over to grab his usual, a sweet iced tea from the drink station, and get a feel for the assembled.

Seeing everyone had arrived Daegan called out to all, "If everyone would take a seat we can get started. And once finished we can enjoy a meal...and the requested cheese cake together."


TBC.../

 

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