JP - Carry on my wayward son - Part 7 of 8 - LtCmdr. Avander Promontory, LtCmdr. V'Len Kel, 2Lt. Ithri Sh'shelor, Lt. Nesre Salo, Lt. Jack Kessler, Krystal Kessler
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((Rear of the cockpit, Plausible Deniability))
The whining of the transporter diminished and before him stood Jack Kessler and another non-Zet. V’Len tried to resist the temptation to run up and hug the man, but in the end he lost the battle. Joyously he threw his arms around the man slapping him on the back.
As Jack found himself materialising in the shuttle V’Len was right there throwing his arms around and Jack did not hesitate to hug his best friend back.
Kel: ::releasing Jack:: You scared the crap out of us, you jerk.
Kessler: Scared you buddy? Hell, you should have seen the look at the Zet’s face when I charged them with nothing but a grenade.
V’Len rolled his eyes at his friend. He seemed to relish the matter, while for V’Len it had meant many restless nights. He supposed all had to be forgiven now. V’Len had not known such relief in a long time. It seemed like the universe was set right once again. Something seemed to be in his eye. He hurried over to his station looking at the floor.
That was a little bit of an exaggeration, Jack had in fact thrown the grenade and then ducked but that didn’t sound quite as heroic…he chuckled to himself as he thought about it.
Radek: You did what?.....
Radek’s voice trailed off as the aeroshuttle’s warp core gave way to the planned breach.
Through the front viewer, the shuttle that had previously held their friend blew apart in a multi-colored fireball that expanded and then quickly snuffed out.
Promontory: I’m bringing us about for a quick get-away.
Sh’shelor: The quicker, the better.
Ithri nodded. A hint of disappointment coloured her tone which was usually even and restrained, but surely there would be other opportunities in the future.
Kel: ::turning back to his station:: I am not crying
Kessler: Yes he is….
Well what did it matter? Jack was safe, or very close to it.
Jack said aloud as he smiled ear to ear and slid into one of the seats along the bulkhead. He was going home and he had his closest friends to thank for it. Although somewhat surprised Michele Winters was not with them but then again maybe there was a reason.
Sh’shelor: Course set, let us leave before we are discovered.
While Ithri had no problem participating in a fight, they were sorely outnumbered, and perhaps it was best they depart without seeing any action.
Radek: Response
Promontory: (reading the screens) The pursuing shuttles are breaking. Looks like our little ruse worked!
Setting a course out of the system, Avander finally let out a breath and turned to face Jack.
((Restricted Shuttlebay alcove, Deck 3, USS Butler))
Once they had gone to warp, V’Len had insisted on a full examination of Jack and his companion Radek. V’Len had even done blood work to confirm that Jack was genuine and not a Founder. After that he’d confirmed that Gavet’s freighter had arrived back in the neighbourhood of Port Coray. The remote flight computer set up by Promontory and Sh’shelor had worked perfectly. Promontory had even relented and allowed him to fly the Deniability…briefly.
In Avander’s mind, the return trip had been mercifully uneventful. After the doc gave Jack and his plus one the twice over, they mostly slept all the way back. As they docked back at the OEB and began to disembark, Avander hung back.
Promontory: I’ll catch up with you later. (beat) Unfortunately, in my line of work, even missions I “didn’t go on” have a lot of paperwork!
Looking around the bay Jack turned to Avander and V’Len with a bit of confused look on his face.
Kessler: This isn’t the Oumuamua. What ship is this?
V’Len of course knew the answer from his conversations with Nesre, but was still not prepared for the Octavia E Butler. Even from the shuttle bay it was clear that the OEB was new and sophisticated like no other ship he’d encountered. The Ronin was of course much older and even with the refits was nowhere near as sophisticated. At the same time the longevity of the new Sagan-class had yet to be proven. The Akira-class had proven itself time and again. V’Len decided it best to keep his opinions to himself.
Promontory: Oh. Right! (proudly) Welcome to the USS Octavia E Butler!
Kel: ::smiling:: An impressive ship.
He still had not found a way to let Jack know that he wasn’t actually an officer on the Butler. In fact he had no idea how Rouiancet would view his arrival. He was not AWOL, but that did not mean that Rouiancet would appreciate his dabbling in the Gamma quadrant’s business.
Kessler: Guess I missed a lot. You’ll have to catch me up after I get checked out by sickbay.
Promontory: Get checked out, Dr. Kel can ensure you make it and… you should also report into our CO. It’s Lia Rouiancet!
Avander gave the pair a curt nod and headed for the Intel Suite.
Kel: ::looking at Jack and smiling:: I’m going to check in with Rouiacet. Toz is in sickbay and can check you over again. I’ll catch up later.
The pair turned to depart and V’Len quickly pulled up a map of the OEB. Perhaps he could convince Rouiancet to put him up on the OEB briefly. He wanted to tell Jack about his transfer on his own terms.
((Kessler’s Quarters, Deck 04, USS Octavia E Butler))
The return home was not entirely what Jack had expected. Instead of returning to the USS Oumuamua the shuttle had rendezvous with the USS Octavia E. Butler, a Sagan Class starship under the Commander of Commander Lia Ouiancet. Commodore V’Airu was off doing something else and the Oumuamua was getting a refit. Jack was certainly not as familiar with the Sagan class vessels and after being given a release from Sickbay he made his way, best he could to the quarters assigned to Krystal Kessler, his younger sister. Jack had asked the medical staff not to wake his sister since it was late in the night but now walked the corridor to those very quarters.
Arriving at the door, Jack thought about hitting the door chimes to request permission to enter but stared at the name on the door. Jack Kessler / Krystal Keesler. She had not given up hope that he was coming back. His eye’s slightly watered at the strength his sister had and he slowly reached over and tapped the entry button to access the quarters.
With a hiss the door slid open and Jack stepped into the dimly lit quarters. Krystal was obviously asleep and Jack looked from the living area to the two doors that must lead to the bedrooms. Both were opened. As the rest of the quarters were dark Jack stepped quietly and cautiously to one door and saw no one in the bed. Stepping back to the second door he stopped and took a deep breath. There his younger sister lay, sleeping soundly and quietly. Peaceful and safe. Jack had worried about what Krystal might go through but he had some close friends on the Oumuamua he knew would take care of his sister in his absence. He was surprised to find her aboard the OEB knowing that once they had returned to Federation space the Commodore could have had Krystal sent back to Earth. Someone pulled strings to keep his sister on the Butler and he hoped he knew who that was.
Jack noted Lilou, their dog was also at Krystal’s feet and eyes wide open but she was not leaving the girls side. Jack lifted the corner of his mouth in a semi-smile. oO Not even a tail wag for your old buddy? Oo
Kessler: (in a soft low voice) Krystal….Krystal, it’s me. I’m home.
Lilou’s tail lazily wagged at the sound of the familiar voice, but she remained rooted to her spot. The child in the bed stirred, but it wasn’t until he repeated her name that her eyes opened. She peered up in the dimness of her room, Jack’s shadowy figure hovering over her. Blinking, she sat up, stared at him, then flopped back down, grumbling.
Krystal: I hate this dream.
Kessler: (in a soft low voice) Krystal, it’s me….
Ignoring him, she turned her back to him, as if to dismiss a ghost from its haunt, unwilling to entertain the fear or trembling it might imbue.
A small portion of Jack’s lips started to curl up in a semi-smile as his eyes began to water. Krystal had been through so much already and he did not blame the child for wanting to avoid the heartache of a dream that was not real. Standing there, he wanted to step further into the room and wake her but was that the best? Should he let her sleep and allow her some peaceful rest? Lilou’s tail continued a slow wag and Jack unconsciously stepped lightly into the room and sat down on the edge of the bed as gently as he could. One hand extending out to pet Lilou and then he reached over and brushed some hair from Krystal’s face. He had missed her. Missed her smile, her sarcasm and her Kessler attitude.
Kessler: (in a soft voice) Krystal, it’s Jack. I’m really here.
Krystal: No you’re not!
Krystal flailed and her hand smacked his away. The jarring sensation must have cut through her disbelief for she froze, then suddenly scrambled to her knees, knelt on the bed, and stared up at the phantom before her.
Krystal: J…Jack?
It wasn’t him. It couldn’t be. He had gone. He had left. Those who left never came back. Never. But he had, and he was there. He was real, and though she had not hit him hard, the place where her hand struck his still stung with the impact. Suddenly, her face caved in on itself and tears immediately sprang into her eyes.
Krystal: You…you left! You left!
She cried, her voice rising in pitch.
Jack leaned forward as she rose, the fear in her eyes spoke volumes and he reached both arms out and wrapped the tightest embrace around her. He was certain he was back home, but this moment had played out so many times in his mind that even he feared it to be a dream.
Kessler: (tears starting to roll down his cheeks) I am so sorry Krystal. I’ll never do this to you again!
She started to beat at him, her pitiful attempts hardly anything, the ire within not truly deep, for another emotion overcame it, that of intense relief.
Salo: Krystal?
The cry of the girl had awakened Nesre from her slumber. Although she had gotten used to the child’s presence, she hadn’t slept nearly as deeply since Jacks’ disappearance and the additions now in her life. They were not a burden, but she found herself waking in the night to check on the girl, sometimes unable to fall back asleep as she pondered the many weighty things upon her heart. As she stepped inside, she realised something was amiss and froze in the doorway when her eyes fell upon a shadowy figure clinging to Krystal.
The voice from behind startled Jack as he held his sister close to him. Jerking his head around, in the direction of the familiar voice. Surprised to see Nesre standing there his eyes already in tears began to water even more, his voice almost escaped him as her name simply slipped out.
Kessler: Nesre……
Nesre stared in unbelief for a moment, frozen at the shock that he was there, standing before her, solid rather than a dream, for she had shared in the grief that washed over the child. Her eyes widened as the reality settled in and her voice, soft and tremulous, called out his name.
Salo: Jack?
Kessler: (for a complete loss of words, a welcoming smile crossed his face)
Her hands flew to her face, covering her mouth, but that was not enough to prevent a sob from escaping and a tear to trickle down her verdant cheek. Stepping forward, she stretched out a hand, slender fingers lightly caressing his face, still in awe at the sight standing before you. Perhaps the reassurance that Krystal needed was the same that Nesre required, for as soon as she touched him, the dam of tears opened fully.
Salo: Jack!
Standing, he slowly released Krystal and stepped over to Nesre and without hesitation wrapped his arms around the woman pulling her to him. One hand placed on the back of her head as he pulled her close in and her head next to his.
Kessler: I am so sorry I did this to both of you.
His heart beat through his chest as if he’d just run flat out to get here. Her hair pressed up against his cheeks, he closed his eyes at the feeling of her in his hands and tried to contain the emotions that were working so hard to over take him. Extending his other arm he reached back down and grabbed Krystal and pulled her up and into the group hug, not wanting to let go of either one of them.
Kessler: I am so sorry (beat) never again. I promise. (double beat) I love you both so much.
And just like that, the tears rushed forward, and both Krystal and Nesre clung to the man whom they had lost, and now had returned, filling the hole his absence had left behind. As they clung to each other, the salt of tears upon their lips, their sobs ebbed and flowed, then finally faded. All that remained now was the joy of knowing that Jack was finally home.
Lieutenant Jack Kessler
Zet Prisoner
Itech'eman Facility
T239901JK1
&
Lt Cmdr Avander Promontory
Director of Intelligence, Gamma Quadrant Flotilla
USS Octavia E Butler
O239910AP4
&
Lieutenant Commander V’Len Kel
Chief Medical Officer
USS Ronin NCC-34523
T239811VK2
He/Him (character and player)
&
2Lt Ithri Sh'shelor
Marine Intelligence Officer
USS Octavia E Butler
M239008AD0
&
Lieutenant Nesre Salo
Councilor
USS Octavia E Butler
M239008AD0
&
Krystal Kessler
Civilian
USS Octavia E. Butler
M239008AD0