Cmdr. Katsim Peri - "Reflections In The Mirror" (Part IV)
northstream
(Botanical Arboretum, Lower, Deck 9, USS Octavia E Butler)
The path lay before them, familiar to all who visited the arboretum. Laid out in sleek, curved lines, stones were cobbled together, but fashioned together in such a way that the path remained smooth. Speaking not a word, Peri led them onward. They followed the curve of the path until the door was out of sight. Around them, the shadowed forms of flora bore witness to their silent journey. The trees and flowers all bore a silent witness to the journey, Peri in the lead, diving into her own brand of silence. Suddenly, as Shepherd stepped onto a portion of the path, the stones lit up, surrounding her in light. Immediately, Peri stopped, then turned and faced the woman who had so recently joined them.
Katsim: Ensign Skye Shepherd, a Defense of Temporal Flow Ribbon, a Quantum Reality Service Ribbon, an Orion Syndicate Service Medal, a Silver Star, a Prisoner of War Ribbon, for all that you accomplished and endured on the Chin’toka before coming to us.
Peri unfolded her hands and lifted them, palms up. A second later, a box materialised from the air. Opening the top, she revealed the contents, ribbons for each reason laid out before, then offered them to her fellow science officer.
Shepherd: Response
Once Shepherd took the box with its treasures, Peri turned and resumed her course, bidding the others follow. Ahead, the trail straightened, a narrow path that cut through a jungle. Had they not known any better, they could have simply been on a planet, the stars above them, a forest surrounding them, only the carefully laid stonework beneath their feet and the lights that guided their way evidence that it was all carefully cultivated by sentient beings.
As they trekked on, Brzezinski stepped upon a section that suddenly lit beneath her feet, bathing her in a bright yet gentle light, the second of those gathered to be honoured. Pausing, Peri turned and took up her former position, feet apart, but relaxed, hands clasped behind her as she spoke, her voice soft, yet somehow resonant.
Katsim: Rivka Brzezinski, an Innovation Ribbon for your innovative use of technology to connect with other versions of yourself. The Spliced Mainbrace Distinction for using what tools you had to turn a disadvantage into an advantage.
With that, a golden light shimmered in front of him, and for a second time, Peri stretched out her hands to take the box that appeared. Opening it, she presented the ribbons to another of her science officers.
Brzezinski: Response
She said nothing more at that time, but released the box and its contents to their new owner. With a satisfied nod, Peri turned and silently beckoned them on, and the group continued down the path. It wound through the trees, the luminescence of the flowers and plants coupled with the dim lights guiding their way. Inside the petals, gentle glimmers danced, fairies so tiny all they could see were the sparkling pinpricks of light. Down they went, more paces that took them to a different section of the arboretum, and though the scenery changed subtly - different species of trees and underbrush, different hues of colours - the glow of the lanterns prevented them from wandering off their way. Eventually, another portion of the path lit up, and Peri paused and faced the group once again.
Katsim: Josh Tobias Herrick - A Prisoner of War for the captivity you endured. Joint Meritorious Unit for your collaboration with Toran. Good Conduct for assisting your fellow officers in gaining their freedom and defeating the one who imprisoned you.
Again, the light appeared, and again, Peri clasped the object that shimmered into view, opened the box, and offered it to Herrick, her head inclining in a nod as she silently emphasised her appreciation for what he had gone through, and what he had achieved.
Herrick: Response
Once again, Peri set back on the path before them. Step by step, she silently led them on. In the arboretum, there were no animals beyond the one upon Peri’s shoulder. No birdsong twittered from the trees, no music from insects chirped in the brush. Only the soft tapping of their feet set a rhythm by which they travelled. On a little further, for the third time, the path lit up. Stopping again, her soft voice breaking the silence.
Katsim: Avander Sambryn Promontory. A prisoner of war ribbon for your experience as a prisoner in a hostile universe. A Joint Meritorious Unit for working with Toran to gain your freedom and defeat your captor.
Another shimmer of light, another box, she opened it without any further words, and Peri extended her offering to the man before her.
Promontory: Response
One by one, each was given, but there was one more person present, and so they did not stop. As they walked, only the soft footfalls upon the ground gave a counterpoint to the silence surrounding them. After turning a bend, another light shone, that time around Rouiancet, and Peri paused and turned.
Katsim: Lia Shohreh Rouiancet. A Purple Heart for the wound you sustained. A Prisoner of War for the captivity you endured. A Joint Meritorious Unit for collaborating with Toran in the face of great danger to secure your safe return.
The rolling bell-like trill played upon the still air, and another box appeared. Peri’s hands caught it, and her fingers opened it to reveal the ribbons inside before she passed them along to the recipient.
Rouiancet: Response
Their trek was not done. Again, Peri moved on as the path curled around and twisted back in the other direction. She did not deviate, but continued onward. Then, at one point, the light brightened upon a spot where she stepped. Pausing, she turned to face the others, basking in the light.
Katsim: Wes Greaves. A Prisoner of War for his captivity. A Joint Meritorious Unit for working with someone who you thought was an enemy for the greater good. A good Conduct Ribbon for your role in protecting your crewmembers.
She extended her hands, and another light shimmered an object into them. However, that box she did not open. It remained closed, a reminder that Wes was not there, called away by duty, but she would keep it for him, knowing he would return soon. Cradling the box in her arms, Peri turned and set out once more.
(TBC)