Lt. Jg. Ryden Tarus Kel - You Have to Save Sylvax
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Ryden Kel
Dec 26, 2025, 5:09:11 PM (3 days ago) Dec 26
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((Campsite, Evening))
The fire crackled softly between them, casting warm light across the
clearing and sending sparks drifting into the dark canopy overhead.
Ryden let his gaze move between Renn and Corey, a small, contented
smile tugging at his mouth. This... this... was what he’d hoped for.
No ranks. No expectations. Just shared food, quiet laughter, and the
steady comfort of being present together as the night deepened around
their camp.
He must have lingered in the moment a second too long.
Wethern: Come on Ryden, how did you end up in medicine and I want to
hear about how you and Renn met.
Ryden blinked, then laughed softly, rubbing the back of his neck.
Kel: Straight to the personal questions, huh?
He glanced toward the fire, the flames reflecting faintly in his eyes
as he gathered the truth he didn’t often say out loud.
Kel: Honestly? At first… I wanted to be successful. I wanted my father
to be proud of me. Medicine felt like something solid...respected.
He shrugged lightly.
Kel: Turns out, once I was in it, I realized I actually liked helping
people. Sitting with them when things were hard. Making sense of pain.
The rest just… followed.
Renn smiled at him, gentle and knowing.
Renn: As for us meeting.... We went to primary school together. Lived
not far from each other... But I went to conservatory to continue my
studies on the Trill piano while Ry when off to join Starfleet
medical.
Corey took another bowl of stew.
Wethern: This isn't bad stew. Let's hope we don't need any treatment
after the chillis.
Ryden chuckled, lifting his spoon slightly in mock defense.
Kel: I’ll take that as high praise coming from a doctor. And don’t
worry... I was conservative. Mostly.
Renn smirked, glancing between them.
Renn: He says that now. Give it an hour.
Wethern: So why so long before doing this trip?
The question settled more quietly than the others. Ryden’s smile
softened as he looked toward Renn, then back to the fire.
Kel: Life, I guess. Starfleet schedules. ::looking to Renn:
performance schedules... Distance....
Renn nodded, unoffended, understanding.
Renn: We talked about it for years. Just never quite lined up the timing.
Kel: I’m glad it finally did.
The fire popped softly again, the moment stretching comfortably
between them... easy, unforced, exactly as Ryden had hoped it would
be.
((The Next Morning))
Morning broke gently over the forest, pale light filtering through the
canopy as Ryden led the trio along a narrow game trail just beyond the
campsite. The air was cool and damp, the scent of moss and
mineral-rich soil clinging to every breath. He felt rested... content
in a way he rarely allowed himself to be on duty.
Ahead, the forest opened into a broad meadow bordered by smooth stone
outcroppings and low, flowering brush. Ryden slowed instinctively.
A herd of massive creatures grazed near the far edge of the clearing.
They were quadrupeds, tall at the shoulder, their hides thick and
patterned in muted earth tones that blended seamlessly with the
terrain. Broad, ridged plates ran along their necks and spines,
catching the light with a faint, oily sheen. As they moved, Ryden
noticed the deliberate precision of each step... heavy, yes, but
controlled. Not clumsy animals. Watchful ones.
One lifted its head, revealing a blunt snout lined with short, hooked
protrusions near the jawline. Thin strands of moisture clung there
before dripping to the grass below.
Ryden felt a flicker of unease... not fear, exactly. More like instinct.
Kel: Easy… they’re beautiful, aren’t they?
Wethern: ?
Renn had already stopped walking, eyes wide and alight with
unmistakable wonder. Ryden recognized that look immediately... the
same one Renn had worn as a child whenever they’d found something new
along the rivers of Trill.
Renn: They… they move like dancers. Look at the way their bodies sway,
the way the sunlight shimmers across them. It’s like music you can
see.
Ryden tracked the herd again, noting how several animals subtly
repositioned themselves, forming a loose arc as they grazed. Not
fleeing. Not aggressive. Just… aware.
Kel: Let’s admire from here.
Wethern: ?
Renn tilted his head, captivated.
Renn: Just a little closer. I want to see how the light plays across
their skin… it’s like watching a melody unfold.
Kel: Renn.
He didn’t raise his voice, but he stepped closer to his friend,
grounding himself between Renn and the clearing. His Betazoid senses
brushed against the moment... Renn’s excitement humming bright and
eager, layered with the quiet confidence of someone who had lived
multiple lifetimes without serious consequence.
Kel: We don’t know how they’ll react. Or what they can do.
Wethern: ?
Renn smiled back at him, gentle and familiar.
Renn: You always were the cautious one.
Ryden exhaled slowly, eyes never leaving the herd as one of the
creatures pawed at the ground, its claw leaving a faint, darkened mark
in the grass that shimmered briefly before fading.
Kel: Someone had to be.
He hoped... quietly.... that caution would be enough. Renn edged
closer to the herd, mesmerized by the shimmer of their hides and the
gentle sway of their fronds. One of the larger creatures lifted its
head sharply, emitting a low, warning hum.
Kel: Renn! Step back!
Wethern: ?
Renn froze, caught between awe and caution, just as another creature
shifted, positioning itself between him and a small, younger member of
the herd. The ribbons along the adults’ spines flicked in sudden,
jerky motions.
Kel: Watch it! They’re protecting the young one!
Wethern: ?
Before Renn could retreat fully, one of the fronds lashed out,
snapping against his arm. A sharp, stinging sensation spread quickly,
warmth and pressure radiating unnaturally through his limbs. His knees
buckled slightly, and a dizzying haze settled over his vision.
Renn: Wh… what…
Ryden lunged, catching his friend as he swayed, grounding him. Renn’s
face paled, eyes wide with shock, fingers trembling as the strange
heat coursed through him. Before Ryden new it, the herd had run off...
perhaps Corey chased them off, or they left on their own.... Ryden
didn't know. All he knew is that his friend was in trouble.
Kel: Renn… hold on. Stay with me.
Renn’s mouth opened to speak, but the words slurred, and his body
tensed as the unfamiliar, creeping paralysis began to settle in... his
mind still aware, racing, but his body betraying him in the most
subtle, terrifying way.
Renn: …like… fire under my skin…
Ryden tightened his grip, voice calm but urgent.
Kel: I’ve got you. Just hang on, Renn… just hang on. ::yelling at
Corey:: Corey! Get a medkit.
The herd shifted, low warning hums vibrating through the meadow, as
Ryden tried to keep Renn steady, aware that this was no attack of
malice...only defense.
Renn: Ry.... you have to... save Sylvax.
Wethern: ?
-----
Lieutenant JG Ryden Tarus Kel
Medical Officer
StarBase 118 Ops
O240109RK1
The fire crackled softly between them, casting warm light across the
clearing and sending sparks drifting into the dark canopy overhead.
Ryden let his gaze move between Renn and Corey, a small, contented
smile tugging at his mouth. This... this... was what he’d hoped for.
No ranks. No expectations. Just shared food, quiet laughter, and the
steady comfort of being present together as the night deepened around
their camp.
He must have lingered in the moment a second too long.
Wethern: Come on Ryden, how did you end up in medicine and I want to
hear about how you and Renn met.
Ryden blinked, then laughed softly, rubbing the back of his neck.
Kel: Straight to the personal questions, huh?
He glanced toward the fire, the flames reflecting faintly in his eyes
as he gathered the truth he didn’t often say out loud.
Kel: Honestly? At first… I wanted to be successful. I wanted my father
to be proud of me. Medicine felt like something solid...respected.
He shrugged lightly.
Kel: Turns out, once I was in it, I realized I actually liked helping
people. Sitting with them when things were hard. Making sense of pain.
The rest just… followed.
Renn smiled at him, gentle and knowing.
Renn: As for us meeting.... We went to primary school together. Lived
not far from each other... But I went to conservatory to continue my
studies on the Trill piano while Ry when off to join Starfleet
medical.
Corey took another bowl of stew.
Wethern: This isn't bad stew. Let's hope we don't need any treatment
after the chillis.
Ryden chuckled, lifting his spoon slightly in mock defense.
Kel: I’ll take that as high praise coming from a doctor. And don’t
worry... I was conservative. Mostly.
Renn smirked, glancing between them.
Renn: He says that now. Give it an hour.
Wethern: So why so long before doing this trip?
The question settled more quietly than the others. Ryden’s smile
softened as he looked toward Renn, then back to the fire.
Kel: Life, I guess. Starfleet schedules. ::looking to Renn:
performance schedules... Distance....
Renn nodded, unoffended, understanding.
Renn: We talked about it for years. Just never quite lined up the timing.
Kel: I’m glad it finally did.
The fire popped softly again, the moment stretching comfortably
between them... easy, unforced, exactly as Ryden had hoped it would
be.
((The Next Morning))
Morning broke gently over the forest, pale light filtering through the
canopy as Ryden led the trio along a narrow game trail just beyond the
campsite. The air was cool and damp, the scent of moss and
mineral-rich soil clinging to every breath. He felt rested... content
in a way he rarely allowed himself to be on duty.
Ahead, the forest opened into a broad meadow bordered by smooth stone
outcroppings and low, flowering brush. Ryden slowed instinctively.
A herd of massive creatures grazed near the far edge of the clearing.
They were quadrupeds, tall at the shoulder, their hides thick and
patterned in muted earth tones that blended seamlessly with the
terrain. Broad, ridged plates ran along their necks and spines,
catching the light with a faint, oily sheen. As they moved, Ryden
noticed the deliberate precision of each step... heavy, yes, but
controlled. Not clumsy animals. Watchful ones.
One lifted its head, revealing a blunt snout lined with short, hooked
protrusions near the jawline. Thin strands of moisture clung there
before dripping to the grass below.
Ryden felt a flicker of unease... not fear, exactly. More like instinct.
Kel: Easy… they’re beautiful, aren’t they?
Wethern: ?
Renn had already stopped walking, eyes wide and alight with
unmistakable wonder. Ryden recognized that look immediately... the
same one Renn had worn as a child whenever they’d found something new
along the rivers of Trill.
Renn: They… they move like dancers. Look at the way their bodies sway,
the way the sunlight shimmers across them. It’s like music you can
see.
Ryden tracked the herd again, noting how several animals subtly
repositioned themselves, forming a loose arc as they grazed. Not
fleeing. Not aggressive. Just… aware.
Kel: Let’s admire from here.
Wethern: ?
Renn tilted his head, captivated.
Renn: Just a little closer. I want to see how the light plays across
their skin… it’s like watching a melody unfold.
Kel: Renn.
He didn’t raise his voice, but he stepped closer to his friend,
grounding himself between Renn and the clearing. His Betazoid senses
brushed against the moment... Renn’s excitement humming bright and
eager, layered with the quiet confidence of someone who had lived
multiple lifetimes without serious consequence.
Kel: We don’t know how they’ll react. Or what they can do.
Wethern: ?
Renn smiled back at him, gentle and familiar.
Renn: You always were the cautious one.
Ryden exhaled slowly, eyes never leaving the herd as one of the
creatures pawed at the ground, its claw leaving a faint, darkened mark
in the grass that shimmered briefly before fading.
Kel: Someone had to be.
He hoped... quietly.... that caution would be enough. Renn edged
closer to the herd, mesmerized by the shimmer of their hides and the
gentle sway of their fronds. One of the larger creatures lifted its
head sharply, emitting a low, warning hum.
Kel: Renn! Step back!
Wethern: ?
Renn froze, caught between awe and caution, just as another creature
shifted, positioning itself between him and a small, younger member of
the herd. The ribbons along the adults’ spines flicked in sudden,
jerky motions.
Kel: Watch it! They’re protecting the young one!
Wethern: ?
Before Renn could retreat fully, one of the fronds lashed out,
snapping against his arm. A sharp, stinging sensation spread quickly,
warmth and pressure radiating unnaturally through his limbs. His knees
buckled slightly, and a dizzying haze settled over his vision.
Renn: Wh… what…
Ryden lunged, catching his friend as he swayed, grounding him. Renn’s
face paled, eyes wide with shock, fingers trembling as the strange
heat coursed through him. Before Ryden new it, the herd had run off...
perhaps Corey chased them off, or they left on their own.... Ryden
didn't know. All he knew is that his friend was in trouble.
Kel: Renn… hold on. Stay with me.
Renn’s mouth opened to speak, but the words slurred, and his body
tensed as the unfamiliar, creeping paralysis began to settle in... his
mind still aware, racing, but his body betraying him in the most
subtle, terrifying way.
Renn: …like… fire under my skin…
Ryden tightened his grip, voice calm but urgent.
Kel: I’ve got you. Just hang on, Renn… just hang on. ::yelling at
Corey:: Corey! Get a medkit.
The herd shifted, low warning hums vibrating through the meadow, as
Ryden tried to keep Renn steady, aware that this was no attack of
malice...only defense.
Renn: Ry.... you have to... save Sylvax.
Wethern: ?
-----
Lieutenant JG Ryden Tarus Kel
Medical Officer
StarBase 118 Ops
O240109RK1
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