Lt Alex Storm - En Route

[Karen Morris]

((Shuttle Griffin, Enroute to Betazed))

Fingers splayed on the console, Alex pressed her eyes closed as she counted to ten.  Her chest felt tight, and her breaths were shallow.  Every time she closed her eyes, she could only see the raven-haired child with two bright dimples reaching out, asking Alex to play.

When her count reached ten, she opened her eyes again and finished the last item on her preflight checklist.

Storm:  Okay.  My checks are done.  Jira’s gotten us clearance to depart.  Take us out when you’re ready, Nat.

Cole: Copy that. Let’s go get your daughter. 

Alex stepped over to one of the other seats and slouched into it, leaning her head back and pressing her eyes closed.

Cole: Alright, Griffin. Be kind to me.

Even through her closed eyes, she could feel Jaran’s gaze.  She cracked one eye open and stared at him.

Jaran: I'm keeping my eye on you, lieutenant. Not just as your friend, but also as your doctor, at least for this trip.

Her other eye opened to join the first.  Her lips pressed into a thin line, and she pushed herself into more of an upright position.

Storm:  As my friend, I don’t mind.  As my doctor…

She bounced her head back and forth.

Storm:  I’ll tolerate it.  

Alex leaned toward Jaran and put her elbows on her knees with her hands clasped.  Her voice quavered.

Storm:  As a mother, I need your help.  But please don’t get in my way.

Those last words hung in the air for a moment. She hoped Jaran understood that it wasn’t a threat, but a plea.

Her black eyes flashed.

Cole: We’re on our way.

But Nat's words broke her spell.

Jaran: Nothing in between us and there now.

Storm:  Let’s hope the Griffin does us well.

Cole: So… what’s the plan? Jira knocks your ex out, or do you need me to weaponize my charm in the name of justice?

Jaran: Oh no. I'm not dosing anyone against their will again. Not so soon since the last time, at least.

Storm:  I won’t ask you to.  Depending on when we get there…if we get there in time for the funeral, we’ll slip in back, wait until the room has cleared, and we’ll corner him.  If we don’t get there in time for the funeral?

She shook her head.

Storm: I don’t know.   All I’ve got is we knock on his mother’s door and ask her if we can talk.

Jaran: Well, we have some time. Why don't you break down what we have to expect when we get there.

Storm: Well, if we do make it time for the funeral…

Alex gave a nervous chuckle.

Storm:  Um…Betazoid funerals are like Betazoid weddings.  We’ll have to go in the nude.  

She looked between the two.  Her smile was a combination of hopeful and nervous. 

Storm:  I hope that’s not an issue.  During the funeral memories are shared mentally.   Like the couple of non-Betazoid funerals I’ve attended, those closest to the deceased stay the longest.  So I would anticipate Kona remaining until the end. 

Cole: Response

Jaran: What are the views of the afterlife on Betazed? The ritual sounds fasci... ::beat:: Sorry. Not the point.  

Storm:  We believe the soul ascends to a higher plane at death.  And that as we each die, we will be reunited on that higher plane.

Cole: Response

She had barely finished speaking when a light on the console in front of Jira began to blink and beep. They were being hailed.

Jaran: Are we expecting a call?

Storm: Maybe.  Open the channel.

Alex looked between them as if to ask for silence. Once the channel was opened, Alex spoke.

Storm:  =/\= This is the shuttle Griffin.  Who is this? =/\= 

Nila:  =/\=  Alex, is that you?  It’s Nila. =/\= 

Storm:  =/\=  Do you have any news? =/\= 

Nila:  =/\=  I’ve seen him.  Kona.  He’s here.  =/\= 

Storm:  =/\=  Cassie.  Have you seen Cassie? =/\= 

Nila:  =/\=  Not yet, but I’m following Kona.  If she’s here, I’ll find her. =/\= 

Storm:  =/\= I have two people with me. Both from Starfleet.=/\= What’s our ETA Nat? 

Cole: Response

Storm:    =/\= When we get closer, I’ll comm you with our landing coordinates.  =/\=

Nila:    =/\= Understood.  I’ll keep you abreast of anything else I find out.  Nila, out.   =/\=

Jaran/Cole: Response

Storm:  She’s a friend from the Scimitar who left Starfleet.  I knew she was still on Betazed, so as soon as I could, I messaged her.

Jaran/Cole: Response

Storm:  She’ll help us get where we need to go once we arrive.

Jaran/Cole: Response

~*~

Tags / TBC!

~*~

Lt Alex Storm

Tactical Officer

USS Artemis

O240103SK2