Hook line and sinker

Posted on Thu Apr 15th, 2021 @ 1:17pm by Captain Taliserra Tigran & Lieutenant Helena Wells
Edited on on Fri Jun 4th, 2021 @ 11:49am

1,195 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: The Silent Scream
Location: HGs quarters - Captain Tigran ready room
Timeline: 5th April 2395 1525hrs

ON:

HG reread the message over and over but the words never changed. "To Lieutenant Helena Grace Wells," it started. "Under the emergency reserve activation clause of Star Fleet regulations, your resignation from Star Fleet has been set aside and you are hereby reactivated to service duty. Your orders are to report as soon as possible to The Federation vessel USS Firebird for transport back to Earth, said vessel has been dispatched for rendezvous. A copy of this order has been sent to the Commanding Officer currently listed as one Captain Taliserra Tigran. End of message."

She knew she should have never published that work nor the hints that it gave. While her focus had always been on looking at the way the universe was constructed she had found some interesting data and had wondered how it had escaped notice before or perhaps it had not. She had found a few obscure references in the literature that seemed to indicate that other notably two beings by the names of Paul Stamets and Straal had been looking at. She found it interesting that the idea that the spaces between stars and galaxies might be due to a network of some kind had never been fleshed out further. It was like all research simply had stopped.

Then she had published her paper speculating further on such a thing and how it might work and what it might offer and that is probably what had gotten the attention of the eyes and ears. The paper had offered that perhaps such a thing if it existed and could be accessed would offer nearly instantaneous movement across the universe. Trips that would take weeks would be a matter of seconds at best.

HG had no clue as if the Captain drank or not but she did have some very old scotch and figured for all the pain in rear she had sometimes been that maybe a parting gift.

She got up and went to fetch the bottle looking at herself in the mirror. It seemed odd to see that uniform again and though she had threatened, for some reason she did not quite feel the same way anymore. Two little shiny pips on the collar now shown there as well. She let the Lieutenant part swirl around in her head a moment getting used to it and then touched her comm badge.

=^=Captain Tigran, Lieutenant Wells here. A few moments if I may, if you have time.=^=

=/\= I always have time for you Helena, I assume this is about the rather interesting message I just received from Starfleet about you? =/\=

=^=Indeed it is Captain. I will report shortly.=^=

HG again checked herself in the mirror and then proceeded to the Captain's ready room along with the bottle. She got a few odd glances along the way as she went with people wondering if they were looking at a new person or trying to place and few that recognized her why on whatever soil they called home, she was wearing a full regular uniform instead of her usual scruffy shoes and slouchy clothing she seemed to prefer. She finally arrived and pressed the chime and stood straight for once waiting.

"Come in." Came Taliserra's voice from the other side of the door.

The door slid open and HG entered cradling the bottle with one arm crook and then coming to attention. It had been quite awhile since Academy that she had done that.

"Captain, Lt. Wells, if I may ma'am," she said.

"At ease Lieutenant." Taliserra said. "I bet you never expected to be having to wear a uniform ever again." She gave the woman a small smile, the uniform suited her.

"No, captain, I did not," HG replied relaxing almost into her more common slouch but not that much. "You know I threatened to run everything to the Klingons or others if they stuck me at a desk. Trust me the thought went through my head when the message first came in. However, now that I have been on a vessel and seen a bit of the universe and what Fleet does. Well, things did not seem so constraining anymore. The ones that would have resources to pursue some of the ideas, I trust less to use anything but for personal gain. So here I am." She moved the bottle slightly. "A little parting gift for being a pain if I may," HG tapped the bottle.

Taliserra smiled slightly. "You were never a pain Helena, you have been a very useful addition to our science department."

"Thank you captain," HG replied. "It has been a pleasure and who knows maybe we'll get to cross paths again. Depends on if Fleet lets me have any chain. Of course I knew when I stumbled across some old work and then published some thoughts on it that more or less they would come looking. Fascinating stuff actually and I am surprised that Fleet never pursued it. Well they did not say not to talk about it, but I think fine with you, but hints that there is a network that exists all across the universe. If one could access it then one could theoretically use it perhaps travel near instantaneous almost any place. So you can imagine what that might peak their interest."

Science wasn't Taliserra's strong suit but some of what HG said made sense. "That sounds like a most interesting theory, I hope we'll see your name attached to its practical application in a few years, good luck."

HG nodded but just said, "If this idea does pan out, my guess it will be pretty hush hush, no papers. Still it sounds like it is well worth pursuing and as I said, my views have changed. Well captain," HG moved forward and put the bottle on the desk and then put a hand out. "Thank you for giving me the chance and opening my eyes. The Wolff is in excellent hands with you at the helm."

Taliserra took HG's hand and shook it, if you ever get the chance to return to the Wolff. I'll be happy to have you."

"Thank you captain," HG replied. "You do not know how much that means to me." She let go and then snapped to attention. "Permission to be dismissed captain."
Hopefully HG thought Taliserra would not see the tears threatening.

Taliserra was just about to dismiss her when the com system chirped.

=/\= Bridge to Captain=/\= Came Binea's voice.

=/\= Go ahead=/\=

=/\= Message from the USS Firebird, their ETA is approximately two hours from now.=/\=

=/\= Thank you, out. =/\=

Taliserra looked back up at HG. "2 hours Lieutenant, plenty of time to pack up and say your goodbye's."

"Thank you ma'am," HG nodded. "Keep the ship going, I am going to be following it the best I can. Safe journeys captain."

"And to you Helena, Dismissed."

HG came to attention and saluted and took a step back and turned. There was a new adventure awaiting and things had changed. Hook, line and sinker, she had decided she wanted to make a difference.

OFF:

Captain Taliserra Tigran
Commanding Officer

Lt. H.G. Wells
Science assigned to Fleet HQ

 

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