Reunion and... (Part I)

Posted on Sun May 3rd, 2026 @ 2:13am by Lieutenant JG Vanya Karolyi & Lieutenant Commander T'Par & Lieutenant Cadence Tyree & Chief Petty Officer Jemimah Weatherly & Lieutenant Junior Grade Tara Marsh & Lieutenant T'seng

1,532 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Scientific Diplomacy
Location: Earth Science Convention

Abner Muldoon was anxiously pacing back and forth waiting for the arrival of those who Captain Rutherford was sending. When the swirling lights of them materializing on the platform Abner had a huge smile of greeting.

"Welcome, welcome, my friends. Rystix will be rather happy to see you." he spoke with a gleam in his eyes. “In case you don't know who I am, I am Abner Muldoon." he looked at Orin "My friend so good to see you once more!"

Glancing at those there, "If you will follow me, you can introduce yourselves. I don't know all of your names" Abner making his way towards where Rystix (Guardian) was waiting.

"I'm Lieutenant Commander T'Par," T'Par said simply enough.

The air was filled with a lot of energy, excitement could be felt, and there was the murmur of voices as scientists and those who wanted to visit the displays of scientific discoveries that had been found on various missions.

It was like the World Fair of old but instead of it just being the countries of Earth, it was also more of different races and worlds.

T'Par was curious and alert, but her typically stoic expression did not falter.

T'seng was exceedingly interested in the displays, wanting to look at all that she could see. She'd not been to something like this before.

She commented to those with her. "Have you been to something like this before?"

Vanya slowed as she heard Abner's comment. "Rystix is in here?" Was he on display? The thought made her hackles rise.

Abner looked towards Vanya when she asked her question. The man's features changed, a slight tick in his eyebrow. He wasn't happy.

"They wouldn't listen to me on where he was to temporarily reside. They put him in that tent, over my objections. Thankfully Rystix isn't one who would lash out. Instead, he has gone somewhat within himself. Which is why I called upon those who are his friends." Abner responded.

T'seng frowned, when she heard this. Her eyes flashed with fire. "They did what?"

Rystix was her lifeline when she was in stasis.

"And what did you do to object?" Vanya asked quietly. First, she wanted to know if he cared enough to try to prevent this circus show, and second, she wanted to know what he'd done so she could come up with other options. She didn't have a lot of clout, but she had access to a lot of information--and not all of it was Starfleet.

For the moment, Tara kept her mouth shut and her eyes open, looking everywhere at once. If anything, untoward was going to happen, she was going to make certain that she averted it before there was going to be any trouble for her crew or her charge.

"This situation cannot be allowed to stand as is," T'Par said, "but we should talk to Rystix before determining a further course of action."

Vanya wanted to do something, but T'Par was correct. They should talk with Rystix first and see what he thought of all this--and what he wanted. He was a sentient creature and had a right to decide his future.

Cade had been quiet up to now as he took stock of both his ship mates and the gathering they'd beamed into. He could feel the press of people, the buzz of intellects as they dueled and sparred with one another around them, all trying to prove they were more than their peers.

Always with the measuring contests.

"I think Rystix's opinion is a very good place to start," Cade said as he smoothed his uniform and tried to keep out of the convention-goers way. "After all, raising hell now when he's due to leave might be counter-productive and draw more attention than he may want."

"So, we'll ask Rystix what he wants, and if he wants to leave, then we raise hell? understood, Lieutenant." JK said with a sly smile.

"We are not raising Hell," Vanya said quietly. "We have no idea which denizens might choose to make an appearance. But organizing a breakout...perhaps. I would prefer authorization before we raise--or raze--anything."

Abner growled, “Blasted Admiral Isaacs, he shuffled me off, like he normally does. Treating me like I was just an insect. I knew him back in the day. He would do anything just to bring glory to his name. He had me escorted out. According to him, I was just a mere civilian scientist. I tried to get other scientists to help me object to the treatment of Rystix, but--to no avail"

"Is there another admiral, preferably here, that we could talk to?" Vanya asked. "There are precedents that will give us an edge in this argument if we have a sympathetic ear."

"We will likely speak to him," T'Par said. "I am not a civilian scientist and, if he will not listen to me, he will listen to the captain. However, we have already decided to see Rystix first. We can discuss where to go from there once his wishes are known and his situation better understood."

Vanya nodded and turned to Abner. "Lead the way."

Tara took the point, continuously observing the situation to make certain nobody from HER away team got hurt.

"There is one who is an opposing force where Monsieur Peacock is concerned" Abner paused clearing his throat. "I mean Admiral Issacs. And that would be Admiral Adler. She has been someone who isn't impressed with him. She doesn't suffer fools and he is one in my honest opinion."

Turning towards Orin, Abner asked. "What do you think of the state of things?"

Before Orin could answer, a young man came running up, "Excuse me are you here to see the mighty dragon, Rystix otherwise known as Guardian? We're having a raffle to have pictures taken with him. Do you wish to enter?"

Abner's eyes bulged hearing this announcement his face darkening to a red with rage.

"Excuse me what- what are you talking about?" Abner spluttered.

"Well, Admiral Isaacs declared it was something that needed to be done, it’s for charity." the young man announced, "I hope that I will win the raffle I want to be able to be close to Rystix."

T'seng exclaimed, "This isn't right! He's not something to be used like that. He has feelings!"

Vanya went over to the boy and looked down at him. She didn't want to scare him--much--but she did want answers. And she wanted to find a way to stop the admiral without getting into too much trouble--unless it was warranted. "And where is this admiral? Has he asked Rystix if he wants to be treated like an exhibit in a freak show?"

"is Earth's social safety net so lacking?" T'Par asked, arching a brow. "We will not be participating in the raffle. Please inform Rystix that we are here."

Cade followed along, letting the others indignation wash over his mind and pushed it away. He was more interested in Rystix's frame of mind than that of an Admiral, since there were several Federation directives that were likely being violated. "Perhaps if they offered him a cut?," he said lightly, trying to lighten the away team's mood.

Then he saw a vendor and let a smile place across his face. "Ooo. Look. Ice cream. Wonder if they have pistachio."

Cade's comment distracted T'seng for a moment. "Pistachio?" Wandering in the direction where the counselor was at. "What is that?"

The boy cringed at the directness of Vanya, "I er don't know if I can go talk to him, the admiral I was just requested to sell the raffle tickets. UM..." he looked over towards where a calmer person stood.

"Uh is there a er--diplomatic officer with you?" The boy well he was more like 18 years old, but had a baby face, making him look younger than what he was. he was just a cadet in civilian clothing.

Stepping up to the vendor, Cade ordered a twist cone of pistachio and banana and chocolate and looked back over his shoulder at T'seng, then held up two fingers to the vendor. After a thought, he asked the woman dishing up the cone to buy her entire stock of ice cream for the day and charged it to the local Betezoid mission.

"Pistachio," the counselor said to the diplomatic officer. "Nut from earth that is packed with nutrients. Which helps counter all the sugar in the ice cream, chocolate. The bananas are good for you though, so that helps." He accepted the two cones he'd ordered from the vendor and stepped over to T'Seng, offering the cone.

(To be continued...)

Lieutenant JG Vanya Karolyi
Data Systems Analyst & Archivist
USS Orcrist

Chief Petty Officer Jemimah Weatherly
Chief of Boat
USS Orcrist

Lieutenant Junior Grade Tara Marsh
Assistant Chief of Security
USS Orcrist

Abner Muldoon
Scientist

Lieutenant Commander T'Par
Chief Science Officer
USS Orcrist

Lieutenant T'seng
Diplomat
USS Orcrist

Lieutenant Cadence Tyree
Chief Counselor
USS Orcrist

Admiral Isaacs
Starfleet

Lieutenant JG Vanya Karolyi
Data Systems Analyst & Archivist
USS Orcrist

Chief Petty Officer Jemimah Weatherly
Chief of Boat
USS Orcrist

Lieutenant Junior Grade Tara Marsh
Assistant Chief of Security
USS Orcrist

 

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