The Arrival
I’ve always thought mixing work with pleasure is a dangerous combination, but never before did I fully understand the implications of that as I do now.
Life has been pretty calm recently; that is, the usual ‘norm’ in the science department on the Aidoann hasn’t changed much. Things really are as they were just a few months ago when I composed my last journal entry.
Dhat, dhat. That’s not entirely true. Over the past few months I’ve been working on a top-secret project concerning the OOR–the black ships. I haven’t been able to write about it for obvious reasons, but now that the project has been completed and successful, the information isn’t as classified as it once was.
I created a device which, at its fundamental level, is nothing more than a subspace transmitter and receiver. What makes this device special and important is the way that it transmits and receives. In essence, I’ve emulated the old technology of yesteryear and combined it with the new theoretical science of subspace molecular physics in order to report back transmitted waves of subspace energy into a quantum field spectroanalyzer, displaying the molecular wavelength of feedback in a visual form. In laymen’s terms, I’ve developed a device which can detect physical objects in the subspace realm.
The gravity of this project becomes apparent even more when it’s realized that the OOR uses the subspace realm as a means of travel, effectively bypassing any possible methods of border and movement detection known to the Aevumih.
Until now.
I was given a congratulatory promotion for my discovery by erei’Riov t’Aegis, something that I didn’t expect but was happy to receive, as well as a new position: Deputy Chief Science Officer. This all came shortly on the heels of new orders for deployment, which is also something that I didn’t expect…but, knowing the Galae, probably should have.
Our orders brought us near to the outworlder planet of Risa. Nalah, being assigned as the leader of the mission, quite obviously chose me to assist her as I’m one of the few Rihannsu she could probably fully trust. She further suggested to me that after the mission was completed we could spend a few quality days together–alone. The idea of finally being together with my bondmate after several months of sleepless nights in the Science Department seemed fantastic, and I heartily agreed. Of course, as the old ch’Havaran saying reminds us, the best ale should always be drunk first.
We checked into the Aen’rhien Hotel on Risa, one of the only areas of the planet not totally overrun with outworlders. The rooms there are very posh–they remind me of some of the luxury hotels in Ra’tleihfi my father stayed at during his visits to the University–with all of the niceties of home that one could want including a fine selection of ch’Rihan and ch’Havaran in their restaurant. Food, of course, was near first on our list of things to do once we arrived (our shuttle flight was just over 9 hours), since replicator food just doesn’t have the same kind of panache that well-prepared food does.
After a brief romantic interlude and a stop at some local shops to locate some appropriate clothing for our stay, the topic of food came up. To my utter shock, Nalah didn’t want to go to the fine dining establishment downstairs–she wanted to see what outworlder food was like. I gave her my very limited opinion on outworlder tastes, which she did agree with, but then suggested that we would be better served with our time here on Risa if we visited the other side of the beach.
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing from my bondmate. This is the woman who constantly reminds me of how dirty the non-Rihannsu world is to her, but she had a certain logic to her methods that I could hardly disagree with. So, off to the Terran side of the beach we went, locating an outside eating establishment outside of one of their hotels. The menu selection was indeed strange as I expected (I’m still not exactly sure what ‘veal’ is), but that was the least of my worries at the time. Nalah started having pains in her stomach.
What I remember at this point is a bit of a blur. She started to stand up, then fell down to her knees, exclaiming something about this not happening before. I rushed over to help her, and the next thing I know, this outworlder Starfleet doctor was on top of us. The outworlder did a few scans with what looked like some sort of medical salihnir, then proclaimed that Nalah needed hospitalization immediately. The next thing I know, we’re both sitting on a bed in this Federation starship, and a little baby girl is in my hands.
My little baby girl.
One of the most precious things I have ever seen in my life was resting so peacefully in my arms. I don’t think even the hardest rihanha in the Tal Shiar could avoid being touched by the sight of this little jhu; at one point, she opened up her eyes to look at me…and I could swear on the fires of Gal’Gathong that she smiled.
I was lost in the moment. I’m still not really sure how long I sat there in utter amazement, but it is something that I’ll remember as long as I live: the look of my newborn daughter, the smile of my bondmate as she caressed the baby’s ear. I wish I could say that our tears of joy lasted forever, but the outworlder doctor interrupted us at some point to tell us that the child would need to be on a respirator for some time as her birth was premature.
My heart sank into my feet. For the second time in the day, I could not believe what I was hearing: my girl…my little jhu…would have to die under D’sora. The thought of having her killed by some heartless doctor pained me more than I have words to explain. Briefly Nalah and I considered terminating her right there so she could die with those who love her, but neither one of us could bring ourselves to actually carry out the act.
So that is where I am now, sitting in a comfortable chair in some grand quarters on this Federation vessel watching my bondmate and child sleep. They have had a rough day–they need the rest. So have I, but I cannot find the strength to rest right now.
This may be the last time I see my daughter and I want to savor it as long as I can.