An End And A New Beginning
Posted on Mon Mar 31st, 2025 @ 9:05pm by Lieutenant Addison Talbert
Edited on on Tue Apr 1st, 2025 @ 9:27pm
1,610 words; about a 8 minute read
Mission:
Like Sands Through The Hourglass
Location: Various
Timeline: Six Months Prior To MD001
Addison had been called for an emergency for one of the colonists, a call she needed to answer. Not only did she help the farmer’s wife give birth, she was able to utilize her skills in animal doctoring that she had learned while she was young and with her husband who had passed away. Outside the barn, thunder rumbled, and the rain fell, there were flashes of light in the air from the lightning overhead. Addison leaned up against the jamb of the doorway, her arms folded across her chest, looking out towards the barnyard and to the trees beyond, watching and listening to the sound of the rain. Behind her was the soft lowing of the mother cow, and the calf suckling at her mother’s teat. It was a peaceful moment for Addison, a feeling of deep satisfaction. The birthing of the calf was a success and the local vet had arrived an hour after the process was done. The vet, taking over to watch over mother cow and calf, complimented Addison on what she had done before he arrived, to make certain both calf and mother would be alright.
Addison was tired, and yet she had more to do. She had to get back with her team. She pulled on the rain poncho that was given to her, adjusted the rainboots she had borrowed. Raising the hood of the poncho the blonde doctor stepped outside, feeling and hearing the hard patter upon the poncho. Crossing the muddy yard, feeling the rainboots sink into spots that were ankle high she was glad for the boots. Addison took time to rinse off the boots standing on the first step out of the mud, sticking one foot at a time to where the rain would rinse it off before she entered the mudroom. She didn’t want to cause anymore work for the people inside. Addison hung the poncho to drip dry and stepped out of the rainboots, placing them on the rack meant for that, sliding on her personal boots. One more glance out towards the stormy scene, she gave a bit of a sigh feeling content.
When Addison stepped inside the kitchen, the scent of coffee and a hearty beef stew greeted her. She was pleasantly surprised to find both, waiting for her with a roll that had butter melting inside. Addison was grateful for the kindness of the farmer; sitting down at the table to enjoy her meal, savoring each bite. The farmhouse was peaceful with a sense of wellbeing, she could hear soft murmurs coming from where mother, baby and father were as she ate.
Addison allowed a moment of memory to rise up to the surface, of herself and Thomas, in their own kitchen much like this one. The warm strong arms of Thomas wrapped around Addison’s waist as she was stirring the savory beef stew which bubbled upon the stove. Thomas nibbling at her neck at the most inopportune times. A soft chuckle, at that memory , Addison wiping away the tear which escaped down her cheek. A memory of what heaven was truly like upon a planet.
Sopping up the last of the beef stew with her roll, finishing off her meal, Addison cleared off the table, washing the dishes she had used. Just as she had finished, there was a beep on her combadge.
=^=Doctor, checking in with you, we had a communications disruption so we were unable to contact you until now. Is everything alright? How did the delivery go?=^=
“Both deliveries went well.” Addison responded with a slight smile when she heard the long moment of silence on the other end of the combadge.
=^=B-both deliveries? Were there twins?=^=
Addison chuckled, “In a sense yes. One human and the other a calf. It's been quite the experience the past 36 hours.”
=^=I’ll bet, any idea of when you’ll be returning? =^=
Addison walked over to the front windows and pulled back the light blue curtains to check the status of the storm. It looked like there would be a break in the storm, which would allow her to head back to her team.
“I’ll be heading back very soon, one more check on mother and child, then I will be on my way.” Addison responded, closing up her combadge. One last look around the kitchen and the living room she smiled and went to go see the little family. Addison paused at the door where she could enjoy the moment of what could be called a moment of paradise,a picture perfect moment, Father, Mother, and Baby.
The mother noticed Addison standing there, observing and smiled towards the doctor, motioning for her to come join them.
“You’re getting ready to leave?”
Addison nodded, “Yes I am, I was coming to check on you before I do. And it looks like you are doing well.”
“Yes, all thanks to you. Would you like to hold her?” the mother asked, holding out the baby towards Addison.
“I would be delighted.” Addison gently cradling the baby in her arms, the little bundle of joy filled with promise. She softly caressed the tender cheek, the baby girl mouthing towards her finger. Addison moved her hand towards the small hand, the baby’s fingers wrapping around her index finger with a strong grip for a baby. This was one of the happy moments Addison loved, being a doctor, much like her grandfather experienced. Addison gave the baby back to her mother, “I will be going now, may you have a life filled with plenty of joy through your days.”
A wave of farewell to the small family, Addison left the farmhouse walking along the board walk towards where her runabout was waiting. Climbing in, the door closing behind her, the runabout was warmed up and lifted off heading back towards where her crew would be waiting. The way was clear, no known storm clouds around, Addison flew the runabout above the small range of mountains to get to where the others were. As she reached the pinnacle of the mountains Addison felt the hairs on her head and arms stand up, the tingling sensation of static electricity, crackling and popping sounds from the electronics of the instruments on the runabout. Addison caught a glimpse of something from the corner of her eye causing her to turn, just as a bolt of purple lightning struck the runabout engulfing it, shutting everything down. Addison barely had time to turn away, the emanation of the bolt's impact momentarily blinded her.
The runabout dropped altitude, and without the power to get it out of the mountainous area, it was caught in what was called mountain wave turbulence. They say in some cases people have their lives flash before their eyes as they are in a life or death situation. Addison could see the side of the mountain looming in front of her, closing her eyes as she didn’t wish to see her own end. The image she only saw was that of Thomas smiling at her. Addison made what she thought would be her last words to be spoken in this mortal life. “Well Thomas, looks like we’ll be meeting each other very soon. See you on the other side.”
Addison waited for the impact which would end her life, it didn’t happen. Instead, she felt something strange, being whisked away no longer on the runabout. When she dared open her eyes Addison found herself in a strange place, where she met with an unknown person, giving her an offer she couldn’t refuse. As far as Addison figured, it was either to join the DTI, or be put back into her timeline and she could or would die. Addison wasn’t quite ready to die, to her, there was so much more she could do and learn.
How often is a person given a second chance? Will she suffer from guilt, will she suffer from grief? Yes.Will she have sad moments knowing that her death will cause pain for those whom she loves? Yes! Does she want or would she want to go back in time to change things. She had thought once or twice in the past, and did the what if scenarios. What if she could turn back time and try to change things for herself. It didn’t feel right to her. In the science fiction books she’d read when younger, if time were to be changed, she would have lost quite a few experiences, which made Addison who she was right now. What her future was going to be like, Addison didn’t know. She was someone who had no home now, and only had the things that were in her pocket of her pants. Her stones, her image of her late husband and her in front of a waterfall smiling and happy. Her PADD was dead, so any records of anything were all gone.
Starting from scratch, nothing new for her. Addison’s done it before, and she can do so again.While Addison still has her memory she can recreate memories she’s made from her past. For now though, she was off to an unknown station, Kok Station, where Addison can get supplies and some clothing to make herself comfortable. From what she heard, Addison was going to be able to do self-care and pampering of herself before she needed to report in.
A Post By
Lieutenant Addison Talbert
Chief Medical Officer
USS Herodotus DTI-30656
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