Refugee Takes Flight
Posted on Tue Apr 8th, 2025 @ 2:37am by Lieutenant Junior Grade M'Ressa & Captain Thorrin
Edited on on Tue Apr 8th, 2025 @ 8:16am
2,210 words; about a 11 minute read
Mission:
Like Sands Through The Hourglass
Location: Department of Temporal Investigations HQ - Greenwich England - Earth
Timeline: 5 Months Prior to MD001
Walking into offices of the DTI, M'Ressa had been called down by one of the senior officers, apparently for an assignment. She'd been spending her time at the Academy in San Francisco learning everything she could about the history of this timeline. Ever since she'd recovered from her injuries, Starfleet had kept her at or near Starfleet HQ until they were able to figure out what to do with her. Perhaps now they've found something she could do. After meeting with the officer dealing with her case, M'Ressa was directed to return to her quarters to await a possible assignment.
Thorrin was not pleased after his meeting with Jerimiah. But he seldom was after he spoke with that infuriating man. The only benefit to the meeting was that it brought Thorrin to Earth. This would afford him the chance to recruit the first of this new crew. Thorrin knew of a Caitain who had been stranded here, a virtual prisoner, from another universe. He saw no one better for the mission ahead of them.
He made his way through the myriad of corridors and buildings that made up the DTI complex. His clearance as Captain of the Herodotus allowed him the secure access to meet with the Caitain. So, within a few hours he found himself being let in to the quarters of Lieutenant Junior Grade M'Ressa from the universe known as Kelvin. "Lieutenant M'Ressa I presume." Thorrin employed his honeyed New Orleans accent in an attempt to put her at ease.
Quickly standing up from the desk in her room, M'Ressa stood at attention, "Yes Sir, you've found the right person"
"Excellent! Most excellent!" Thorrin said as he made his way into the room and took a seat. "Tell me Lieutenant are you acclimating to this time and universe?" He thought to have a brief conversation and evaluate where the woman stood mentally before offering what he thought would be the job of a lifetime for her.
"It's a bit of a struggle catching up on over a century of history, but I believe I am handling it well. As for acclimatizing,..." M'Ressa said, giving a pause to think, "...well, the more advanced food synthesizers are nice. Oh wait, they're called replicators now aren't they" she asked rhetorically before giving Thorrin a smile, "sorry, I'll get there eventually. I think I've done pretty good in the month or so that I've been here"
"I have read the reports about you and your studies and I have to agree. You seem to have taken to this universe as the proverbial duck would to water. Speaking of the replicators. May I get you something? I find that the wine produced in a replicator is no where near acceptable as a replacement for the real thing. It will do in a pinch." Thorrin went over to the replicator. "Chateau Picard, Pinot Noir, 14.5 degrees Celsius." The replicator produced the glass of wine.
“Oh, could I get an Irish cream milkshake” M’Ressa asked, not really one for wine.
Thorrin brought the Lieutenant's order over and then returned to his seat. "I must confess I came here for other reasons than just to meet you. However, before we get into that I should deliver the first of two pieces of bad news. After thorough research and investigation it is unfortunate that we cannot return you to your universe or your time. It may be possible to return you down the road when our exploration of time travel and the multiverse bears larger fruit."
M’Ressa’s ears dropped at the news, “yea, I figured that might end up being the case. Guess I should get comfortable in this time then” She said before taking a sip of her milkshake, “you said you had two pieces of bad news?”
"Well, that leads us to the other bad news. The longer you remain in this timeline the more the symptoms of Temporal Narcosis are going to kick in. This is a disease that is caused by being separated from your home universe. It can be lethal as your cells begin to necrotise because their temporal signatures do not match. There is only one cure, to be returned to your home universe. But there is a treatment..." Thorrin's voice trailed off as he produced a small case with the seal of Starfleet Medical on it. He opened it to reveal a hypospray and five vials filled with an emerald green fluid. "You will have to administer yourself a dose of this everyday so long as you remain here. This medication will of course be provided for you."
M'Ressa looked at the medication for a moment before her ears drooped, "so what you're saying is if I don't take this, I'll die here with no way home?" she asked, looking back up at Thorrin. She'd never heard of this 'Temporal Narcosis' before and now that she was going to be suffering from it, a small part of her was wishing she'd died with the rest of her crew after they'd crossed over. "are you sure there's no other cure?"
Thorrin sipped his wine. "In short yes is the answer to both of those questions. It is unfortunate but our knowledge of the multiverse and time travel is exceptionally limited. There is a light at the end of this proverbial tunnel Lieutenant. You do not have to remain here, possibly suffering. You can see what is out there. Make a difference in this universe, and if the technology allows return home." He paused again to sip his wine and allow all he had said to settle in. "I have a ship. It is the first of its kind in this universe. It is a timeship, and I need a pilot. Think you can navigate time?"
M'Ressa couldn't believe what she was hearing, "Navigate time? how is that possible? Didn't you just say we don't know a lot about time travel?" she asked, somehow more confused then she was when she first woke up at Starfleet Medical.
"That is correct we do not know a lot. But we know enough to build a ship and safeguard ourselves from anything that time can throw at us. Navigation is pretty basic if I am honest. As you know standard navigation is three coordinates. Temporal navigation is the same with one additional coordinate. I believe this is your best option, for either a standard of living and the possibility to return home. Returning you home is one of the mission goals of my vessel. For we are a temporal life raft of sorts as well. We rescue those who have been stranded in time and get them home." Thorrin understood the confusion. What he did not understand was the sound of reluctance in the Lieutenant's voice. If roles were reversed he would have leapt at an opportunity such as this one.
Giving it a moment's thought, M'Ressa weighed up her options. Right now, it was either stay here on Earth as a unofficial prisoner of the Federation, A comfortable life to be sure, but not exactly an exciting one, Or travel the stars and through time on this mystery time ship. Even to her, it seemed like a no brainer. After a moment, M'Ressa nodded, "I guess my options are quite limited, and it sounds like the adventure of a lifetime, helping to map out the twists and turns of time. So, sure, I gladly accept your office Captain" she said, holding out a paw.
Thorrin shook her paw and then raised his glass in toast. "Excellent, most excellent. I have used the temporal computer on my vessel to have a look at your service record and it is most exemplary." He slid a PADD across the table. "This PADD contains schematic data on the USS Herodotus. It is classified so you are not to reveal it to anyone. Use this information to become familiar with the vessel so that when you get to the ship you will be ready to fly. It also contains identification information for a cover identification. Whenever you are in public you are to use the id provided. Do you have any questions?"
Picking up the PADD, M'Ressa gave it a quick look before looking back to Thorrin, "Why would we need a cover identification? isn't your ship endorsed by Starfleet?" she asked, getting that suspicious feeling again, "this is starting to sound a little Starfleet Intelligence"
"This ship is endorsed by Starfleet. However, the very idea that time travel is possible and that there is a multiverse is theoretical at best. If any of our enemies knew that we had this capability it would be horrible to say the least. So, it is easier to maintain false identities so no one comes looking. For everyone else on the crew they are either dead or missing in action. But for you, all of this has another meaning. In your case the Pauli Exclusion Principle applies. You see we are not sure if there is another one of you in this universe. If we are to theorize that there is another one of you in this universe then the Pauli Exclusion Principle states that if you two should ever meet and shake hands that would mean mutual destruction. So, to avoid that you have another identity. We are looking into whether or not there is an M'Ressa in this universe." Thorrin leaned back in his chair and sipped the wine. "Also, in the interest of total honesty. I loathe Starfleet Intelligence and all the departments that operate within it."
“Good to know” M’Ressa responded, thinking over his words, “um, I don’t think you’ll find a M’Ressa in this timeline alive. Maybe her children will be around. She would’ve served in Starfleet during the 23rd century”
"Yes that is most likely true. But one never knows. It is possible that in this universe you were born at a different time, or you lived longer than expected. Even so your descendants have your genetic makeup within them. It is possible that should you come in contact with your descendants it would be the same as coming in contact with yourself. We just do not know. This is new territory for all of us. Now, is this position something you would be interested in?" Thorrin sipped his wine again. The flavor was not the same as the real thing but it was passable. He looked forward to being back on his ship with his wine cellar. The wheels in his head turned with all the possibilities with having a pilot from another universe on the ship.
Taking a quick breath, M'Ressa nodded, "yes, most definitely. Piloting through time sounds insane and intriguing. I've flown a ship through asteroids and nebulas with nothing but the proximity sensors, but exploring the pathways of time itself......How could I pass that up?"
"Excellent, most excellent. I will make sure that all of the arrangements are made. As I stated that PADD contains information about who you are from this point on. You are the Chief Helmsman for the USS Herodotus a science vessel. A little later on a proper uniform with all the accruements will be provided. You will be taken by shuttle to Kok Station in the Carlson Nebula where you will meet the ship." Thorrin took the last sip of his wine. "I would like you to know that although you are from another universe, you are not alone here. As of this moment you have myself and the crew of the Herodotus to rely on. Further, I give you my word that if a method to return you home ever comes about, and you would like to use it. There will be no arguments from me. Welcome to the start of your greatest adventure." Thorrin's accented voice made everything sound both ominous and wonderous at the same time.
"Thank you Captain, I look forward to driving your ship through the turns and twists of time and space" M'Ressa responded with a wide smile on her face. He wasn't wrong, this was going to be the greatest adventure she'd ever embarked upon, and hopefully it would someday lead her back home again. However, for now, she would focus on the here and now and worry about the future when and if it arrived.
Thorrin stood up with a smile. "Well then Lieutenant I will see you next on the ship. I will leave you to pack and prepare for the journey." He stepped to the door and when it opened he turned back to M'Ressa. "Until next time M'Ressa"
“See you onboard Captain” M’Ressa responded before she started to pack up all of her things, along with anything in this room she could take with her. It might seem like a bit of a strange move, but she was preparing for anything.
A Joint Post By
Captain Thorrin
Commanding Officer
USS Herodotus DTI-30656
Lieutenant Junior Grade M'Ressa
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Herodotus DTI-30656
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