Mission 11: The Long Road Home

[Andrew Kirk]

The meeting with Commanders Logan and Wolf went well, but it left Andy with a sense of loss and disbelief. On some levels he understood the need for religion in some cultures, but he himself never really understood faith and the many procedures that came with it. The Vackall and their narrow-minded religion was another on the list of many human religions that Andy completely didn’t understand.

He was however, the Captain of a starship, and as such he had a duty to respect those religions and cultures that were ever present aboard his ship. For if he didn’t then it wouldn’t bode well for Starfleet and its need to find allies in the galaxy. We aren’t even in our galaxy, Andy said to himself in a rather contemptuous way.

The MACO guards had informed him that the Priest, known as Jasper, was in Sickbay. They said he hadn’t left Saryn’s side much recently, so Andy felt that Sickbay was the best place to look for the alien visitor.

The door opened and Andy entered Sickbay, letting his arm fall to his side as he released the door’s opener. Just as the MACO said Jasper was there besides Saryn. Andy quietly wondered to himself if the alien was putting on a mask for the many humans around him to see, as if he was doing the best he could to make sure he stayed alive. Befriending the ships only Doctor was a good start.

“Captain.” Saryn said weakly from one of the beds in the corner of Sickbay.

Andy had hoped to have not disturbed Saryn, but it was hard to sneak past a Vulcan whose senses had been heightened by long periods of survival and physical combat. To a certain degree he almost envied Saryn for those traits he now lived with.

“How are you feeling Saryn?” Andy asked as he stood just besides his wounded doctor.

<Tag Saryn>

Kirk wanted to get onto more formal business, but the reality of the situation was that he hadn’t been down to see Saryn since his attack. He tried to justify to himself that it was because he was too busy running the ship, and trying to keep the 70 souls aboard alive, but the truth was that he was afraid to see Saryn this way. He had always admired Saryn for his strength, and seeing the warrior-doctor in such a state shook the young Captain to his core.

[Deleted]

"Sit up, slowly," Jasper admonished, restraining his newfound friend when he tried to sit up too fast. "You took quite a bashing and I don't want you to vomit again."

Saryn sighed and allowed the Vackall priest to prop several pillows behind his back, supporting him as he sank back a little. "I am...fine," he answered slowly, seeming to think on his words.

Hemingway pressed a hypospray against his arm, and his thoughts seemed to clear a little as soon as the dizziness faded. "You'll be up and about again in no time," she promised, winking at Kirk, "Vulcans are very resilient, and if anything, have very hard heads."

The Vulcan nodded carefully, regretting the action immediately. "Indeed," he agreed. "Captain, any luck in finding a way home?" he asked softly, his eyes seeking the Human's. "I must apologise for the inconvenience I must have caused you.."

"Nonsense," Phoebe cut in, "part of it is my fault, I should've known better."

"And I should've come forward straight away," Jasper cut in, setting the just arrived Numike on the bed beside her father. "Take it easy little one, your father's hurt. He's very weak." Pale blue eyes settled on the captain. "I'm going to have to ask you to leave now sir," he insisted, lowering Saryn back down on the bed as he removed the extra pillows. "And you doctor, need to sleep."

Numike snuggled up beside him, whispering excitedly about the time spent with Sharon. Saryn knew he owed the woman a big favour, which he hoped to repay sometime soon.

Jasper stepped aside with Kirk. "I assume you have many questions for me?" he asked gently, "I'll answer all I can, you have my word."

[Andrew Kirk]

"I assume you have many questions for me?" Jasper asked gently, "I'll answer all I can, you have my word."


”I do,” Andy said as he walked away from the bed Saryn was lying on. Behind them the duty nurse was standing firm, making sure that nobody lingered behind.

Outside of Sickbay Andy stopped and stood next to Jasper. He studied the alien priest for a moment before speaking, “It has been brought to my attention that our burial rituals for the dead might not be appropriate for your culture.”

The Vackall priest known as Jasper quietly nodded his head in acknowledgement. This quiet acknowledgement sent a small shock up Andy’s spine, and it wasn’t that he didn’t want to do a proper burial for the Vackall pretest it was that he felt the needs of the Challenger and her crew should outweigh the needs of a few alien life forms.

“So, please tell me what it is we need to do to accommodate your culture’s needs?”

<Tag Jasper>

[Deleted]

"He'll sleep for a few hours now," Jasper informed the young Human, "I've made sure of that, and the presence of the child will have him sleep more fitfully than any medication can provide for. She should stay for as long as he rests, when she's gone he grows restless, and that will harm his recovery."

Jasper's eyes directly met Kirk's. "Your MACO badly hurt him captain. Saryn may not admit it, but he is in pain and he's barely coping. I should keep him sedated, but I am not, because he informed me that he cannot heal under sedation. He needs what he called a healing trance, but he needs help entering and awaking from it. Your help captain. He trusts you, and only you with that, even though he will not ask, you must offer it."

Now, the young Vackall priest uttered a defeated sigh. "We must go to my home planet, where Saphira's body must be laid to rest in the temple. It is not a complicated ritual but her soul must be cleansed, her body prepared for the embalming. She will be entombed with the high inquisitors, who died before her. She will not be forgotten, her knowledge will be passed on to other gifted women. How, I cannot inform you of as men are not privy to that information. We serve the high inquisitor, they are powerful and gifted women but we, that is, the priests, have no real rights of our own."

He bowed his head. "It is already sacriledge that I told you this much, or that I am even aboard and that it is your vessel that transfers her to her final resting place. Joq'tel should've taken her, it was his right as her guard. Now, he is shamed because his right is taken and I, the now outcast priest, will return her, accompanied by what she originally called demons." He paused again. "Demons, who I now call friends, if you permit me. The only one I truly believe to possess demonic skills is the doctor, but my guess is that it is part of his species, as he is different from you. His child is obviously not of his blood, but she is of his teaching. A bright child, she must be nurtured captain."

Jasper realised he was straying from the topic, and babbling nervously. "I apologise captain, I am keeping you from your duties. If there is anything I can do to help and it is within my power to do, please, ask."

[Andrew Kirk]

Andy listened intently to the Vackall Priest, and despite the prejudices he felt himself holding he allowed each word to land well within his conscious mind. The Vackall Priest didn’t describe a particularly dangerous mission, nor was it going to be a cakewalk either. It required the Challenger to travel an unknown distance deep into Vackall territory to deposit the body of this Vackall High Inquisitor, and then once their mission was over they would be right back in the same place again. Lost in foreign space with no way of getting home.

However, Challenger needed supplies and a place to fix some of the constant problems that kept coming up, and if they showed this much good faith in preserving the Vackall’s religious practices than perhaps a peace between the two peoples could come about.

"I apologies captain, I am keeping you from your duties. If there is anything I can do to help and it is within my power to do, please, ask."

“No need to apologize,” Andy said with a half forced smile, “It’s my duty to make sure those under my command, and those whom are guests aboard are comfortable. Although this isn’t a luxury ship you are still our guest, and as such we shall do what we can to accommodate your needs.”

The Vackall bowed his head slightly. Andy’s attention moved quickly from Jasper to Saryn who sat nearly motionless. At a glace his pale skin and lack of movement would suggest that the Vulcan had indeed perished form his wounds, but Andy knew Saryn better and more importantly he knew the warrior spirit that resided within him.

“There is one thing that I need you to do.” Andy said and as the words exited his mouth the eyes of the Vackall Priest opened wide with interest, “Commander Logan is on the bridge right now. He will need the coordinates for your world so we can try to arrange a proper burial for her. If you could provide that information for him that would be very helpful.”

“Captain?” A voice from behind Andy said.

“Yes?” Andy said turning away from the Vackall Priest.

A security officer stepped forward with a PDA in his hand, “This is the proposed reprimand for the offending soldier as well as an inventory of our offensive systems.”

“Thank you.” Andy said taking the PDA from the security officer, “Please inform Commander Wolf that I would like to speak with her as soon as possible.”

“Aye sir.”

By the time he turned his attention back to Sickbay Jasper had long vanished, most likely on his way to the bridge. The MACO soldiers who were standing guard had silently left as well. Now only the sounds of the heart monitor filled the room. He looked on as Numike sat with her father in silence. Andy quietly noted she was behaving very much like a Vulcan child.

Despite the warning form the head Nurse Andy moved close to the Vulcan doctor who had become a close friend. It was in these moments that Andy had the chance to reflect on his life, where he had come from and the possibility of where he was going. Whether it was pride, or not Andy had a hard time expressing how much influence Saryn had on him during their time together. He was a relatively young and inexperienced Starfleet Captain and Saryn was an older and well-traveled Vulcan. The two seemed destined to collide philosophically, but somehow they had managed through these tough times with a relatively sturdy friendship.

As he stood over Saryn he thought about how he could help Saryn achieve his meditative state. Should he touch him? He had to admit that he wasn’t up on his Vulcan rituals; as a matter of fact he wasn’t up on many rituals. The young Captain just decided to stand silently and hoped his mere presence was enough, if it wasn’t he was sure that Saryn would take matters into his own hands as he had done the whole time Andy had known him.

[Deleted]

Sharon left the brig after taking time to write up the charges against the marine now resting in her brig, he was not happy by any means considering he was in his underclothes. She knew Lieutenant James would not be to happy about what she had done but he would get over it. Sharon handed the pda to one of her officers.

"Jim, take this to Captain Kirk please." Sharon said.

After he left Sharon got up and stretched, she hoped the priest would join her for dinner. She was about to get on the lift when Jim stepped off.

"commander, Captain Kirk wants to see you on the bridge pdq." He said.

"Ok, thanks." Sharon stated.

She got on the lift and took it to the bridge where she found the captain waiting.

"Captain, you wanted to see me?" Sharon asked.

<Kirk>

[Deleted]

Jack had always found comfort in the stars, but not anymore. The stars in front of him were like strangers in the night. For the first time, Jack allowed himself to think of home. The war against the Romulans had not been going well. For all he knew the war was over and Earth had been destroyed. Not wanting to ponder on these possibilities, Jack turned his attention to the reports stacked next to him. He could already guess what they said and sadly for them the news was not to promising. They had enough supplies to last them another month. The ship was in dire need of raw supplies.

"Commander Logan I presume?" the Vackall priest asked as the MACO's following him found their stations.

"Yes, I am Commander Jack Logan," Jack said as he tried to be as cordial as possible," what can I do for you?"

"Your captain has requested that I provide you with the coordinates to my temple," the priest said as he walked towards one of the consoles," I presume that I will be able to input the cooridnates through this console?"

"Yes, Ensign give him complete access to our helm," Jack said a little apprehensive of allowing a complete stranger to a critical system on board the vessel.

"Done, we'll arrive on the planet in thirty seven hours," the priest said before turning back to the lift.

"Thank you," Jack said glad that they might have found a solution to their immediate problem.

[Deleted]

"Andrew..." Saryn's voice was barely audible, but the touch of his hand to Kirk's skin was almost as if the younger man was set afire. The Vulcan's skin was feverishly hot, warmer than usual. Yet the touch alone seemed to calm the doctor as his features lost some of their tenseness. "Andrew, in six hours you must wake me. Not by shaking or medication."

It was the first time Saryn had called Andrew Kirk by his first name, he had never done so before since coming aboard the Challenger. "I need you to strike me."

The Vulcan could sense the shock within the human he called friend. "Do not be afraid, you must do this. If I am not wakened from the healing trance, I shall die. The pain will help me focus, after the healing fever will help me recover."

His eyes were still closed, one arm still curved around Numike's body, holding her close to him, sharing her warmth. He felt cold, so cold and he wanted nothing more than just sleep. But he couldn't. Not yet. "Promise me Andrew," he implored, "six hours. And stay with me until I am within the trance..your touch will guide me...do not be afraid."

The simple touch of a hand, it would be his guide, the one focus point so he wouldn't get lost in his own healing. He sighed and his hand went slack, his readings dropping to barely discernable. His features relaxed as his breathing too, slowed. The monitor above his head showed him to be barely alive, but he was deep within the trance and he would heal, in time.

At his side, Numike stirred, but did not wake.

[Andrew Kirk]

The weight of Saryn’s requested sat on Andy’s shoulders as he sat in his office waiting for Commander Wolf. It wasn’t the fact that Saryn had asked him to hit him, instead it was the fact that if he were late then Saryn would die. And the last thing Andy wanted on his conscious was another dead crewmember, especially a vital one such as Saryn.

The door chime broke Andy from his deep thought, “Enter.”

"Captain, you wanted to see me?" Sharon asked.

“Yes I did.” Andy stood up, relieved to have company even if it were for just a short while, “As you might have already heard we are heading deeper into Vackall territory to return the body of the slain Priestess. They have a rather elaborate burial ritual and we need to respect that tradition. What I need from you is to make sure all stations are ready to go. That doesn’t mean we will be at battle stations, rather it means that every phase pistol, phase rifle, and plasma grenade is accounted for. Beyond that issue each crewmember on duty a phase pistol and holster. Place MACO units around the Priest, I don’t want him to become the next victim of our mysterious murderer.”

“Aye sir.” Wolf replied. She was a good officer, and Andy knew it. He knew also that he could trust her.

“I need to know who killed the Priestess so we can hand them over to the Vackall authorities when we arrive. I can’t imagine what the Vackall will do if we show up empty handed. Understood?”

<Tag Wolf>

The rest of the day went by without any excitement. Space flew by without any indication that they were even there. It was as if space itself was ignoring the small Earth ship. A notion that brought a calm to Andy.

The chronometer on the wall showed the time, and despite all his actives today Andy couldn’t help but check the clock every few minutes. He had only a half hour before Saryn had requested to be “woken up” from his healing trance. He knew it was time to go.

Andy didn’t take his time walking down to sickbay, but he sure wasn’t in a hurry either. With each step he thought about the actions he would have to take, the pain he would have to inflict upon a man he had grown to call friend, and despite the fact that Saryn had requested this Andy still had a hard time coping with what he was about to do. Maybe someday Saryn would understand the emotional tug of war that Andy was going through.

“Good evening Captain.” The duty Nurse said from her seat in Sickbay.

“Good evening.” Andy said as he walked through. On the other side of the room Saryn was lying, his vital signs clearly displayed on the wall monitor. “Would you give me a moment alone please?” Andy asked in a tone that was not exactly a question but not quite an order.

“Of course sir.”

Andy heard the door opened and close behind him. He knew that with the exception of Numike he was alone. Andy’s eyes never left Saryn’s face as he tensed his body up for the adrenaline rush that was to come. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Numike shy away slightly, and in that instant he hoped that he hadn’t scared the girl, but she was well aware of what her father had asked of the Captain.

Kirk’s fists tensed until his knuckles were white. He clenched his jaw, and narrowed his eyes for better aim. Andy drew in one last breath and held it for a moment. His heart was racing, but with each passing second he felt his heart slowing. He was now calm. He was now ready to do what Saryn had asked of him. With the last of his breath exhaled he threw the first blow.

[Deleted]

Saryn felt the pain and used it as a guide to come out of his trance. He felt his head snap sideways, from one to the other as the captain struck him. It felt different, than what he had gone through before. Pain exploded, his vision went white as the captain struck again. Instinctively, he raised his hand and caught the captain's fist before he could do so again. "Enough," he said, his voice sounding strange, even to himself.

The Vulcan opened his eyes and stiffly sat up. Numike sat beside the bed, her eyes wide with fear and admiration. She hadn't tried to stop the captain at all, which surprised him, but also made him feel proud of her. She might not be a blood daughter, but the bond between them was strong. She beamed at him as he cast her a look of pride, then went to take his hand.

Saryn looked up at Kirk seeing the anguish in the younger man's eyes. "Thank you captain," he said quietly, while rubbing his jaw, "next time, a slap will suffice." He flexed his jaw a few times, knowing it would bruise. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and sat up further. "I apologise to have asked this of you, I understand it must have been difficult."

He met the captain's eyes. "In a few hours, I will be well enough to return to duty, with your permission." Now, the hurt was in his own eyes. "I understand we are going to take Saphira home for burial. I wish to be tasked with the responsibilty of guarding her body. She may have attacked me, but I considered her a friend. It would be my honour to do this for her."

Now, he looked away briefly, hiding his guilt. When he looked up again, Kirk saw the Vulcan as he knew him best. "I wish to prepare her for her final journey," he requested, "if Jasper will permit it. He was her acolyte, her student. I was her friend, as I am his. Permit me this captain, it is all I request. If the Vackall still wish to try me, despite my innocense, I shall deliver myself to them. I know I have not killed her, nor am I responsible. That does not change that I feel that I am. We shook the core of their beliefs, we are that much responsible for seeing to it that we do her justice. We are not the demons they believe us to be, that they believe me to be."

Fire sparkled in the Vulcan's eyes, the warrior returning, awakening. "They recited texts to me, much similar to Earth preachings about the devil. You may take one guess as how they perceived me. I cannot take offense for their beliefs, but it has hurt me. More than you can imagine."

He started as Numike's hand touched his. "You're not evil," the girl spoke clearly, "you're my father." She hugged him fiercely, before she turned on the captain. "Can he go home now?" she pleaded with him.

"Captain, one more thing. I would like a notation being placed in Commander Wolf's personal file. I would like to commend her on her bravery and honesty. Only you can place such a note, but it is upon my request that you do so." He sighed. "Please," he added, as if in afterthought. "She may very well have saved me, and I wish her to be commended for it, even if this mission may fail."

[Deleted]

Sharon listened to the Captain about arming everyone and placing Macos to protect the priest, she formed a plan a plan of action in her head.

“I need to know who killed the Priestess so we can hand them over to the Vackall authorities when we arrive. I can’t imagine what the Vackall will do if we show up empty handed. Understood?”

"Theres a problem with that, according to sensor logs noone was shown leaving the priestess quarters or entering after Saryn was removed by the Priest, I have a theory though, I have a feeling whomever is behind the murder came from the Vackall ship."Sharon said.

<Andrew>
Sharon left the captain and headed to security,she went to the wall communicator and touched it."Commander Wolf To Lieutenant James."

"Commander the first Lieutenant is not here can I help you?" The voice of John Roberts answered his second.

"Yes Robert, I need a count on all phase rifles and pistols Your men are using and accounted for and I need people to protect the priest onboard."Sharon said.

"I will get right on it Commander, and have a list of people, does he need protection now, if yes I can send two men to find him."He asked.

"Yes please, and let me know when you have that list."Sharon said.

[Deleted]

Sharon had not been to her quarters in awhile, so once she finished getting what she needed tended to she stopped one of her officers.

"Lieutenant, I need a shower and i need to check on my cat, if anyone is looking for me, I will be in my quarters." Sharon said.

"Yes ma'am." He said.

Sharon smiled and gave Tom a pat on the shoulder and left the security area, she headed to her quarters thinking about the events and what had happened. She wondered why would anyone wan to kill the priestess and make it look like Saryn did it. She turned the corner and headed to her door, it opened, boots was not there waiting for her, usually he came when he heard the door open.

"Boots." Sharon said.

She didn't hear anything and looked for him ashe went to the bedroom and could not find him,she thought this is odd, maybe hes sleeping somewhere. Sharon changed and took a shower , when she got out she heard a low moaning sound. She wrapped the towel around her waist and one in her hair and looked.

"Boots?" She called.

She found him behind a chair curled up moaning a spot on trhe carpet told her he had been sick, she leaned downto pick him up and he was limp. She did not care how she was dressed as she ran out of her quarters boots awoke and dug his claws into the towel, it stung but she could tell from listening to him he was not feeling well. She hurried into sickbay with the not to happy feline who decided to get sick again on her towel, the nurse turned around giving her a not so happy look.

"Before you start, Boots is sick could Saryn take a look at him please?" Sharon asked.

<Saryn,Nurse>

[Deleted]

Saryn sat up a little further, looking past a very stunned looking captain, then blinked a few times himself. "Commander Wolf?" he queried, not certain whether this under-dressed female was in fact the chief of security. He noticed the feline that was clung to the towel that was wrapped around her body, and struggled to his feet.

A nurse tried to stop him but he shrugged her off. "A feline is different," he argued, "this inactivity is irritating. I have been awakened from a healing meditation, I am quite well, thank you."

Of course, the headache was still bothering him, but he wasn't about to tell that to the nurse. Quietly, he moved over to Sharon and examined the feline she was clutching to her. "Nurse, please find the commander a surgery outfit, she may be cold." Next, he tried to pull the cat from the towel, to which he was quite unsuccessful. His second attempt had Boots claw at him and he just barely withdrew his hand in time.

"Sharon he needs to be detached from your...attire," the Vulcan explained, "I cannot examine him this way." Carefully, he ran two fingers over the sick feline's head, then finally managed to remove him. Carefully he laid out the pet on one of the beds, continuing to run his fingers over his fur. "Easy now," he murmured, while picking up his scanner.

"What did he have for his last dinner?" he asked, looking up at Sharon, "did he have access to anything that could poison him?"

[Deleted]

Sharon helped Saryn detach the scared cat from her towel without embarassing her to much the Captain walked over looking at the cat, then Saryn asked her a question.

"What did he have for his last dinner?" he asked, looking up at Sharon, "did he have access to anything that could poison him?"

"He only eats dry food, once in awhile he will eat a little of my food, other then that that's it. I didn't notice anything odd, plus I don't keep anything where he can get at it, what I do have I keep the tops tightened. I found a spot on the carpet where he got sick, it was yellow in color, looked like phlegm." Sharon stated.

<Saryn>

The nurse came in with a surgical gown and helped her into it, it was cold in sickbay but she could tolerate it, she was starting to realize how sore her muscles were she had not had any rest in awhile and was feeling it.

[Deleted]

Saryn looked the feline over, while Numike walked up to him. "Boots?" she asked softly, nudging the cat.

"He is very sick Numike, ask Sharon if you may go to her quarters and take a sample of whatever Boots vomited?" He handed her a vial and a pair of gloves. "Hold your breath and do not touch it," he instructed, then ran his hand over her hair in a rare sign of affection. "I do not wish for you to become ill because of it. One of us ill is sufficient, would you not agree?"

The girl nodded, took the gloves and the vial and turned to Sharon, who stood looking very sadly at her beloved pet. "Sharon?" the girl asked softly, placing a cold hand on Sharon's. "Can I?"

While Numike was sufficiently distracted, Saryn gently ran his hands over Boots' body, starting at his head, examining his ears, eyes, teeth. His fur was no longer shining as brightly, as he knew a shining fur was in indication of health. Of course, the Vulcan was no experct and his veternary skills were limited at best. His hands probed along the feline's still body, extracting a hiss and a moan as he touched a particular spot.

The cat lashed out with a claw again, and this time raked it painfully over Saryn's bare arm. "I am trying to help you," the Vulcan whispered soothingly, while peering at the monitor on the bed. "I fear it must be something he ate," he told Sharon, "I am certain it is nothing you have done, you are a good mistress to him. Perhaps he found something after all, and was so curious he decided to chew on it?"

Numike returned several minutes later, proudly carrying her sample. "It's....yellow," she told him, frowning up at her father.

"Yes, I can see that. Can you take it over to the microscope? I will be right with you."

"Father, you're hurt!"

"Just a scratch, Boots just told me I hurt him, that is all." He made sure Boots was comfortable, then joined her at his precious microscope. Carefully he placed a drop of the sample on a slide, covered it, then slid it under the objective. "Hmm.." He peered through the oculairs, studying the sample on the slide. "This requires further analysis, though I am certain that Boots has tried to consume your shampoo."

He looked up. "Soap would make him sick," he concluded, "fortunately I do have a cure for that." He walked over to a cabinet and pulled a small, brightly purple coloured vial, which he inserted into the hypospray. "Hold him Sharon, he may protest. I have no wish to be clawed again." He stared at the four parallel lines on his arm, which had stopped bleeding. When Sharon held her pet down, Saryn pressed the hypospray against the cat's shoulder and released the contents. "He should be better in a few minutes. Make sure he drinks enough, milk would be preferably though water is sufficient."

The Vulcan staggered as he lay the hypospray back on the tray, then pressed his hand against his temple. "I.." He shook his head, which only made the feeling worse. "Sharon please assist me, I should rest too."

"You should!" Jasper's voice came from the door, "what possessed you to get up in the first place. Getting up for a cat? It's just a pet, pets can be replaced."

Numike glared at him. "Boots is not just a pet Jasper! He's a friend!" She looked up at the security chief. "Isn't he?"

"All right all right!" Jasper moved to support his Vulcan friend. "Off to bed, and don't make me sedate you! Captain you should be ashamed of yourself! Why didn't you stop him!"

[Deleted]

Sharon watched Saryn atke care of her cat and before long he was showing signs of feeling better, She would have to keep her shampoo somewhere where he can't get to it. Boots started purring and meowed, stood up and stretched and went to Numike.

"Thank you Doctor." Sharon said and surprised him with a hug.

<Saryn>

Sharon held it just a second then let go, she knew he would be a little embarassed but thought it would be better then kissing him. She was about to turn to Numike when Jasper walked in and he was not happy.

"Numike, why don't you come with me carry boots to my quarters and stay there for the night, so your father can rest." Sharon suggested.

"No, I want to stay here with my father!" She said putting her hands on her hips.

"Numike, he needs rest..." Sharon started then Numike spoke a little to loud.

'No! I want to stay here with my father.", Numike said with such force boots arched his back and hissed. She turned to him and gave him a scratch. "It's ok my friend."

"Numike, your father will be fine he needs to rest, plus I need you to watch boots tomorrow while I'm on duty, tell you what if you come with me I will make you something special for dessert." Sharon said.

<Numike>

[Andrew Kirk]

Captain’s Log, unknown star date:

It has been about three weeks since the future Starfleet ships have gone home. I say about because our chronometer had to be scavenged for parts. Speaking of repairs; reports have come in to me within the last several hours and the Challenger is now battle ready. If the opportunity presents itself then we shall test fire our phase canons, and recalibrate our targeting system. I’m sure that Commander Wolf would appreciate it if we destroyed a few asteroids. I think just about everybody on the ship could use the release in tension.

The last several days have been thankfully uneventful. The Vackall have not made their presence known despite the fact that we have detected them on our short and long-range scanners. I’m banking on the fact that if we return this priestess’ body then we might be able to use the warp corridor that the other Starfleet officers were able to use. It still mystifies me that their long-range warp corridor is controlled by some sort of sentient place-living life form.

“Captain, we have entered the Vackall Prime’s solar system.”

Andy paused his recording and quickly answered the hail from the bridge, “Acknowledged. Take us to one half impulse.”

“Aye sir.”

Andy got up quickly from his bed, finalized his personal log and made his way out of his quarters. Despite the repairs that had been finished the corridors still looked as if they were in disrepair as the walls had been stripped for spare parts. It saddened the young captain to see his first command in such a state, but it had been a necessary evil.

“Status?” Andy asked as he entered the bridge.

“We just got within the Vackall’s planetary defenses.”

“What’s their weapons status?” Andy said before sitting down.

“Tactical display says they have us targeted but main weapons power is offline.”

“I’ve got a ship moving to intercept us Captain.” The helm officer announced.

“All stop.”

“Aye sir, all stop.”

“We’re being hailed sir.” Jack said from his station.

“On screen.”

The screen blinked from the blue orb in space that was the Vackall home world to the now familiar site of a Vackall Prime officer. At first glace his appearance was pleasant, but that directly contradicted his immediate tone of voice.

“You are not permitted here. State your business.”

Andy stood up to address the Vackall officer, “I am Andrew Kirk of the Starship Challenger. We have come to return the body of one of you priestess for a proper burial.”

“You have slain her!”

“No,” Kirk replied almost defensively, “We were attacked and she was killed by one of the attackers.”

“This is most disturbing.”

“It is, but we mean you no harm. We just wish to return her body for burial and be on our way home.”

“It is not that simple Captain,” The Vackall officers said as he moved in his seat, “The death of a priestess requires a sacrifice in return for the lost soul.”

“An eye for an eye.” Kirk said to himself, “I can assure that an equivalent life has already been taken for the priestess.” Kirk said to the Vackall officer hoping he would believe the ruse.

“I cannot see that as being true. The great white bird still cries for the death of this priestess. If a life is not sacrificed then the great white bird may never come back.”

“Great white bird?” Kirk asked in Jack’s direction.

“I think he means the alien entity that brought us here.” He replied softly.

“You Captain will be that sacrifice.”

“I’m sorry but that’s not in our custom to-“

“You will be that sacrifice or your ship shall be the sacrifice!”

“Now hold on a minutes!” Kirk said far less diplomatic than he wanted.

“You have two cycles to make you decision Captain.” The Vackall officer said before the screen went blank.

“Captain their main weapons are being charged.”

Kirk sat down and watched as the Vackall ship moved into a better tactical position, “Bring that Vackall priest to the bridge, I need to have a word with him.”

<Tag all>

[Deleted]

Saryn patiently endured the hug, making no attempt to dissuade her. Instead, he awkwardly patted her on her back, giving her time to step back on her own. When she did, he nodded gratefully. The captain had since left sickbay, probably not needing to witness his CMO indulge in an emotional act. "I will rest," he promised, "then report to the bridge in a few hours. Rest is all I need, I assure you I am physically fine."

From his bed, he watched Numike argue with Sharon and he smiled to himself. The girl was a handful, but he still did not regret having made her part of his family. She might not be a daughter of his blood, but she was in spirit.

Numike finally went out of sickbay, carrying a purring Boots with her. Saryn had been surprised that the feline had responded to him, eventually. He was not fond of pets, and he certainly wasn't a skilled veternarian, but he had felt Boots respond to his reassurances. Still surprised, he examined the claw marks on his bare arm, covering them with his other hand.

"Are you in pain?" Jasper asked quietly, stepping back as the Vulcan visibly started. "I apologise, I didn't mean to startle you."

"I am not in pain. Boots scratched me, but it stopped bleeding."

"I will desinfect and bandage it," the Vackall priest offered, promptly putting to the task. Seconds later, the scratch was treated and the Vulcan contentedly rested on the bed.

== a few hours later ==

Saryn joined Jasper, after he changed into fresh clothes. He was wearing a light brown tunic on darker brown pants, which were covered by a sleeveless green healer's robe that reached halfway down his calves. He still looked a little pale but otherwise was fully composed as he joined the Vackall priest on the bridge.

"You called for me captain?" Jasper asked politely, offering a half-bow in respect to the captain's position.

"Captain, I requested to be placed in charge of the priestess' preparation for burial. I have not yet received either permission or denial of my request. I wish to be responsible for her remains, until such time that we can offer her to the Vackall for proper burial." Saryn stood tall, his hands clasped behind his back, a hint of regret in his eyes as he mentioned the dead woman.

[Andrew Kirk]

"Captain, I requested to be placed in charge of the priestess' preparation for burial. I have not yet received either permission or denial of my request. I wish to be responsible for her remains, until such time that we can offer her to the Vackall for proper burial."

“Request granted.” Andy said, his voice distant. His world had started to crumble around him, and for the first time in his entire Starfleet career he found himself in a winless situation. The Vackall had the Challenger in their crosshairs, and even worst several ships had moved to block her escape, which literally put the Challenger and her crew in between a rock and a hard place.

“How long do we have Jack?” Andy asked,.

It took Jack a moment to reply as he cycled through his computer screen, “Looks to be just over four hours.”

“It seems than that we have more time that I thought.” Andy said, the weight of surrender temporarily lifted from his shoulders.

Andy turned to Saryn and spoke; “I need that priest up here as soon as possible. He’ll be the key to us getting out of here alive.”

<Tag Saryn>

[Deleted]

err captain? the priest was right there with saryn we named him jasper, remember

[Deleted]

Sharon had taken Numike to her quarters, her and boots had become friends, sharon fixed Numike a Banana split then got dressed, she had left her quarters with nothing on but two towels, good thing she did not have to bend over for any reason. Sharon walked back in fully dressed in her uniform, Numike looked up and gave her a grin. Boots was laying in her lap on his back getting his tummy rubbed.

"Numike, you will find that he loves that more then anything, he has toys around here, you are welcome to play with him, or go curl up on my bed and sleep. I will be on the bridge." Sharon said with a smile.

Utterly exhausted, Numike gathered up Boots and saunted over to the couch. Minutes later, cat still confined in her arms, the girl fell asleep.

Sharon headed out the door and took the lift up to the bridge, she gave Saryn a smile and nodded to the priest as she took her place at tactical.

[Deleted]

Even though Jack trusted in the abilities of every officer on board the Challenger, it would be almost impossible for them to get out of this with thier weapons. The Vackall ship was much more powerful than the Challenger and it would take only moments for them to be destroyed.

"Priest how exactly do your people sacrifice others?" Jack asked as a wild idea popped into his mind.

"Where are you going with this, Jack?" Andy asked perplexed by the first officer's question.

"What if we let them sacrifice you? It really just depends on what the priest says," Jack said hoping that it would work out in thier favor.

(Saryn)

OOC: Sorry for the short post, I meant for it to be longer, but I can't really go anywhere without the priest.

[Deleted]

"My name is Jasper," the priest replied tersely, keeping close to the ship's doctor. "As for sacrifice, I don't really know. I haven't been a full-fledged priest for very long, thus those secrets weren't quite revealed to me yet."

He glanced from Jack to Andrew, then Saryn and back to Jack. Slowly, he walked to one of the consoles on the bridge, and leaned on it as though he were suddenly very weary. For a moment, he closed his eyes.

"Sacrifices are necessary to keep our gods compliant, and favourable to us, its loyal subjects. To waver from our faith, is almost certain doom, according to our legends. Your arrival has that faith shaken, to the core, therefor they believe your captain must be sacrificed to acquiesce them again. They are angered, that is certain. Yet, was it not our god who brought you here?"

Saryn arched an eyebrow. "Surely the death of Captain Kirk will not acquiesce a space entity? We are not even certain that it is sentient, though it did return the two other vessels, but not us. There must be a plan here." He paused. "I do not believe in destiny, but this almost seems as though it some how 'must be'."

Jasper nodded. "The return of Saphira's body to the temple, tended to by a skilled physician such as yourself, must be destined as well. We called you demon, to the majority you still are, all of you. Folkore is a strong ally for those who wish their people to remain ignorant."

"The sacrifice?" the Vulcan prompted.

"It varies with the season," Jasper continued, clearly uncomfortable to reveal so much about his people's secrecies. "He may either be burned alive, cast into the pits of destiny, or he may simply be beheaded. Surely, I shall do my best to keep him alive, persuade my fellow priests that you are not to fault for Saphira's death. I do not even know why the captain was selected, when they clearly assume it was you, doctor, who killed her."

The Vulcan nodded. "It is illogical for the captain to be selected," he agreed, "Jasper, what will happen to you, when we deliver her? You said you would be killed if you had returned to Joq'tel's vessel."

"The likelihood is that I shall be killed regardless, for my association with the demons. I would much prefer to remain here, in safety, but that is not fair to you. I must face my own destiny, and accompany you to lay Saphira to rest, with the rest of her ancestors." Jasper turned to face Logan again. "I'm sorry I can't be of more help to you," he said, sincerely apologetic, "I know no more than you do."

[Andrew Kirk]

The likely hood that Andy would be coming back alive was starting to look very bleak. He’d thought that every situation had a positive outcome, but this one in particular was looking like a no win situation. Moreover the choices of death weren’t that appealing as well. Maybe the pits of destiny, Kirk thought.

The conversations on the bridge continued but Andy was starting to have his fill of them. Nothing was getting accomplished and if they were called upon for their decision then it would be all souls aboard the Challenger and not just one that was extinguished.

“Enough.” Kirk said sternly. All eyes were upon him as he stood next to his chair, “Make all the preparations for the transportation of the body. I want nothing left undone for when the Vackall contact us again. I’ll beam down with the-Jasper and we will get this over with. Understood?” There was a pause before Kirk spoke again, “Good. Lets get to work. Jack you have the bridge. I need to make some…arrangements.”

Andy walked off the bridge and into his office. He could feel the blood rushing from his face. He had faced death before, plenty of times, but each time he always been fighting for his life, not just sitting back and waiting for the executioner to call for him. This was different, and suddenly all those precious minutes that normally tick by unnoticed became the very thing he found himself clinging too.

He had a short career as a Captain, but the things he had seen and the things that he had done could fill up more than one Starfleet officer’s career profile. He knew that at the very least he was going down to insure the survival of his crew. How they were going to get home was beyond him, but with any luck perhaps the space entity would show itself again after his death.

Being well aware of the time he looked at the old clock on his wall and noticed that he had just an hour left. Time had managed to fly by while he was working on his letters to his family and friends. Jack would be promoted to Captain before Andy left the ship, and with one last command to his crew he would issue a direct order that they get home safe.

His palms began to sweat for the first time since he had gone into his office. His mind was keeping close track of the time even if he wasn’t consciously doing the same. It must be getting very close, Kirk thought.

[Deleted]

Saryn returned to sickbay alone. He needed time to prepare Saphira's body and learn all he could about Vackall burial customs. Study learned that they weren't that much different from the Human custom, except that a burial shroud was required and the body needed to be submitted to several cleansing rituals.

First, he needed to cleanse himself, which was an easy enough task. He ran himself through a decontamination program, before taking an extensive shower, bathing himself thoroughly. He needed assistance in getting himself covered in, what appeared to him, a very smelly and oily substance. He felt no embarassment when one of his nurses rubbed the oil into his skin, waiting patiently until she was done. Surprisingly, the oil left no residue on his skin.

Jasper had provided him with a simple, black and sleeveless robe that he was required to wear while tending to the body. It felt slightly uncomfortable at first, but Saryn paid no attention to his own discomfort. He had only a few hours to do this, and only one chance to do this right. He had left orders that he was not to be disturbed, unless it was for an absolute and critical medical emergency.

Carefully, he pulled Saphira's body from the stasis unit and placed it on the examination table. He had a certain reverence about him as he worked, treating the body as though it still held life and spirit. On occasion, he even talked to her, while carefully removing the clothing that had been put on her after the autopsy. They had to be discarded as they were tainted, according to Vackhall records.

With great care, he washed her body, making sure that the markings on her body were kept intact. He would have to repaint some of them afterwards, and he hoped he was skilled enough to do so. The marks left by the autopsy were skillfully obscured, and the wound she had suffered by his own sword was not touched. Though not the means by which she had actually died, it was a mark obtained in a battle for her life, and any such markings were to be left untouched. With practiced ease, he rubbed the scented oils into her skin, carefully working his way down her body.

He washed her hair three times, which had to be done in a certain order, with three different scented sands, that Jasper too, had provided him with. His own hair needed to be treated similarly, after all this was done. Something, he wasn't quite looking forward to. When that was done, he dressed her in a long white robe, that covered her from neck to toes, then prepared her burial mask. It was golden and fit perfectly over her face, though underneath her face was made up as though she'd been alive. When he was completely done, she looked as though she were merely asleep, or lost in meditation, while waiting for her next ceremony to perform.

Saryn looked down on her, and almost felt as though he had brought her back to life. He transferred her to the gurney that would take her to the transporter, and then down to her home planet for the final ceremony. Shaking his head, Saryn took the three scented sands and another oil-like substance and disappeared once more into the shower.

When he emerged his hair seemed to have slightly changed in colour, taking on a more golden hue to it. He didn't appreciate his appearance, nor the way he smelled, but he had little choice in the matter. It had been his own request, that he do this, as a final honour to a person he had come to respect, and almost had considered a friend. A cream robe, with short wide sleeves, had been left for him, though this time a brown, sleeveless, over-robe was provided with it. His sword had been lain next to it, to be worn in addition to the sash that was to be tied around his waist.

Shaking his head, Saryn finished dressing, catching his reflection off one of the monitors in sickbay. He was ready, finally.

Minutes later, he appeared at the transporter pad, walking up to Andrew Kirk. "I am transporting down with you," he stated, "as I am responsible for Saphira's final rituals, I will stand with you as well. Jasper cannot be with you, he will be killed if he sets foot on the planet. You have my word, that I will do everything I can, to save your life." The Vulcan pulled up the hood of his robe, thereby expertly covering his ears. "Are you ready?"