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Posted on 15 Apr 2016 @ 12:04am by Commander Rhyan & Cadet Senior Grade Jody Scott & Lieutenant Commander Lucy Inverness
Edited on on 21 Apr 2016 @ 1:20am

1,755 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Errand of Mercy
Location: Starfleet Headquarters, Earth
Timeline: ED 1

A cool breeze gently caressed the back of Rhyan’s neck as he walked along the promenade that connected Starfleet Academy to the myriad of buildings that comprised Starfleet Headquarters. The spring air had the scent of renewal about it, dampened down by the moisture that still hung in the air following a recent downpour. Currently the sun was at its zenith, balancing out the cool breeze with a warmth that reminded Rhyan of his genetic homeland – Vulcan.

Although he was born on Vulcan – and considered a Vulcan, despite his Romulan paternity – Rhyan had lived most of his life on Earth or in the presence of it’s native species, humans. His pointed ears belied his true nature, which was more human than Vulcan in character. Where he never felt at home on Vulcan, he did feel a sense of belonging on Earth. It may have explained, to a degree, why he accepted a posting at Starfleet Science on Earth while the Redemption was being repaired and refitted in an almost geosynchronous orbit directly above him.

The Redemption, of course, was his other home. In some ways Rhyan was disappointed that his time on Earth was about to come to a close, but having spent a year roughing-it on board a mixture of Federation runabouts and Romulan shuttlecraft, he was glad his next assignment was at least on board on the largest vessel Starfleet had in commission. His professional homecoming would also be associated with a reuniting of his friends and colleagues, even if there were going to be a few notable absences.

Rhyan’s ruminations then brought him back to the issue of the man walking along side him on the promenade: Jody Scott. After their less-than-friendly exchange of words in front of the entire graduating class of 2391, Rhyan and Jody had taken some time alone to settle some grievances and try to put Sarah’s death behind them. Although they had never been close friends, Rhyan could see the same sense of loss in Jody’s eyes that he carried around with him every day. The cadet had been Sarah’s best friend and between them both he and Rhyan were the closest thing to a family she had. It may have taken eighteen months, but they finally agreed that Sarah would have rather they remained friends and colleagues than continue to bear grudges over events that had been mainly out of their control.

It was Rhyan’s suspicion that Jody’s recent experience in the Kobyashi Maru simulator had finally taught the young officer how difficult commanding a ship, or an away team, really was. That new insight might have helped him come to terms with Rhyan’s decisions on Romulus. It was a suspicion that Rhyan was happy not to confirm or disprove as the time had come to put the past behind them and look towards the future.

Jody had confided in Rhyan that he did not know what to do about his upcoming internship. He had once again been offered a position on board the Redemption, but given all that had happened in the past two years he was unsure if he wanted to return to the ship. The commander’s advice had been simple: Jody more than deserved his place on board the Redemption, and he was certain that Captain Ashcart would extend the internship into a full commission at the end of his training – but that the internship would come at the expense of Jody having to accept the past, his role in those past events, and his place on board the ship.

Following the conversation, Rhyan had been confident that Jody would accept the internship and return to the ship with him.

Without warning Rhyan and Jody’s silent stroll through Starfleet Headquarters was interrupted by an unwanted interloper. Her long blonde hair fell down to her shoulders in a non-regulation fashion, almost completely hiding her sciences-division tunic and lieutenant commander rank pips. The most striking feature on this woman, however, was the scowl that adorned her face as she spoke directly to them.

“What on Earth are you doing with him?” Lucy Inverness exclaimed, grabbing Jody by the arm and shaking him vigorously enough that he nearly fell over. “Please don’t tell me you are going back to that god-forsaken ship?”

“I’ll assume you are referring to the Redemption, Lucy?” Rhyan’s reply carried a hint of sarcasm and annoyance to his voice.

Lucy continued to talk to Jody, completely ignoring Rhyan in the process. “You do remember what happened to you the last time you served with him? And what happened to Sarah for that matter?”

“It’s ancient history now Lucy. Take a leaf out of my book.” Surprisingly to Rhyan, Jody’s voice remained steady and calm as he responded to Lucy. If the Vulcan had ever wanted proof that the counsellor had truly moved on, this was it. Brushing off her hand from his arm, Jody looked her squarely in the face and continued. “I spent almost two years angry, and it nearly cost me my career before it had even started. Each of us has blamed the other for what happened on Romulus, and Thorlarus, and even as recently as Deep Space Ten. Maybe it’s time we just accepted that we all screwed up, and move on.”

Rhyan was surprised by the maturity the young cadet was now showing, possibly the first time he had seen it from Jody in the time that they had known each other. “You should probably listen to the cadet, Lucy.”

Without warning, and even before the last syllable had left his lips, Rhyan heard the crack of Lucy’s hand on his face long before he felt it. It only took a few seconds for his other senses to catch up and for the pain to be registered by the Vulcan. “Don’t you ever speak to me, or come near me again Rhyan.” Her words exited through gritted teeth. “I do not know why Ashcart still has you as his XO - or why Starfleet hasn’t thrown you into prison for your subordination – but you don’t have me fooled.”

“Lucy!” Jody stepped towards his former colleague and pulled the hand that had struck Rhyan away from him. “Since when did you start striking senior officers in public? Or anywhere for that matter?”

“You are just as bad as him.” Her eyes darted towards Rhyan and then back to Jody. “You are as bad as the lot of them!”

“What happened to you?” Remarked Rhyan as he finally overcame the shock of the attack on him. He drew his fingertips over the area that Lucy had struck in an attempt to soothe the burning pain that now overcame his left cheek.

Lucy pushed Jody backwards and straightened herself up to face Rhyan. “Have you even seen Cass since we got back from Deep Space Ten? I doubt you have, because the last I saw of her she was a drunken mess – and that was a day or two after we got back. She has been missing ever since. Probably tried to get as far away from you lot as she could. She was a fine Marine; and-”

She stopped as she realised that tears were beginning to well up in her eyes. At the realisation that her emotional barriers were crumbling, Lucy lashed out again at Rhyan. This time she missed, much to the Vulcan’s relief.

“To hell with the lot of you,” was the last words that Rhyan or Jody heard Lucy speak as she turned on her heels and sprinted towards the Starfleet Medical building. It was Rhyan’s suspicion that this would be the last that he ever saw of the feisty young doctor. For all the progress he had made with Jody, and indeed other members of the crew over the last few months, perhaps he was consigned to be forever a villain in the eyes of some people.

Such was the burden of command.

“Are you okay Rhyan?” Queried Jody as he stepped in front of the Vulcan to inspect the green-tinged mark the doctor had left on his face. “She really did a number on your face. You ought to see a doctor about that ASAP, although I might avoid Starfleet Medical if I were you. Maybe Doctor Afton is free?”

“It’ll be fine,” Rhyan said, not entirely believing the statement himself. He had other errands to run before he reported in to the Redemption for active duty.

Jody made motions to argue with the commander when Rhyan’s comm badge erupted to life with its familiar chirp. Confused as to who would be trying to contact him this close to his return to the Redemption he gently tapped the metal device attached to his left breast. “Lieutenant Commander Rhyan here.” He said, his tone now flat and professional.

“Commander Rhyan, this is Lieutenant Johnston, deputy chief security officer at the Office of the President of the United Federation of Planets.” The lieutenant paused to take a breath, which was unsurprising given how long his job title was. From the pitch of his voice Rhyan pictured a young officer, although one who likely excelled at his job and advanced through the ranks quickly. “I have been asked to extend an invitation to you from President Zal. She would like to arrange a meeting for later today if it would suit you?”

“I-“ Rhyan began, a little lost for words – not because the President of the UFP wanted an audience with him, but because the arrival of the invitation had been at the worst possible time. He and Zal had history. “I would be free any time from now onwards, lieutenant.”

“Excellent,” came Johnston’s tinny response. “Shall we expect you to transport over within the hour?”

“That would be satisfactory,” Rhyan replied.

“I shall let the President know immediately. Many thanks for your cooperation. Johnston out.”

Jody smirked. “That was short and sweet.”

“Most dealings with Starfleet Security usually are,” Rhyan commented. Although he and President Zal had a good relationship that predated her ascension to the Presidency, this was the first time she had requested his presence in Paris. Something about the timing of the meeting seemed odd to the commander. “I guess I had better freshen up before my audience with the President.”

“Go you.” Jody joked, lightening the mood again as they set off again for Starfleet Headquarters.

 

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