Posted by Civilian Jessa Novar (Child) in Back on the Atlantis…Jessa, Ian and Pellan…when the past does not match the present or the future on USS Atlantis

Posted by Civilian Jessa Novar (Child) in Back on the Atlantis…Jessa, Ian and Pellan…when the past does not match the present or the future on USS Atlantis

Posted by Civilian Jessa Novar (Child) in Back on the Atlantis…Jessa, Ian and Pellan…when the past does not match the present or the future on USS Atlantis
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Jessa watched and waited next to Ian as Pellan greeted each person in turn. It wasn’t odd to her that the man essentially ignored her. It was always that way in public. They had appearances to keep up. She watched as Pellan attempted to put each person he greeted at ease. She also watched how each person reacted upon meeting them and it could all be summed up in one word: distrust. This was not surprising to her either. The initial contact with the Atlantis had not gone as Jessa had been promised. Rogan, Da Mu, and Zala Tsu had terrorized and attempted to kill anyone that tried to stop them from getting the Prism . After fighting the crew for weeks, Jessa finally decided to be a key instead of a battering ram to find it. The process had been slow and uneventful. In truth, she did not exactly know what the Prism would look like which made the search next to impossible.

Jessa tensed up the most watching Pellan greet Styxx and Rinker. Styxx scared Jessa. It was not that the woman was mean or cruel but much harm had come to her friends and those she called family. This often changed people. The first time Jessa saw this change was after the massacre on Halston. She had led a protected and safe almost idyllic life on Kublai Tais where the only bad events was missing dessert or not passing tests. It was after Halston Jessa learned how unpredictable people could be and how justified they could be in their anger against the Union. The Union directly hurt Styxx which made Jessa nervous the Marine Captain could emotionally lash out. Instead the woman was worthy of her rank returning Pellan’s greeting with honor and integrity albeit not warmly but with enough diplomacy to make the Federation proud.

Rinker was an entirely different situation. His life was directly on the line. Being a mind seer was a capital offense. Jessa did not mention anything about Rinker except that he was an aide to the Captain and a nurse. In hind sight, she probably should have said something to Rinker about how she presented him in the distress beacon. The man had been utterly kind, if not irritating, since her arrival. Jessa now understood the reasons mind seers were banned however not the why. As irritating as he could be, Rinker caused her to think about so much she believed in. He was humble and gracious in his meeting with Pellan which Jessa hoped would keep his identity hidden.

Jessa watched as each member of the Atlantis crew was paired with a member of the Galactic Union. She didn’t know any of them personally or by name. Pellan kept his work far away from her when they were together. She was so hyper fixated on worrying about the crew, she missed the three adjudicators entering the hangar. This was significant because everything about an adjudicator was meant to be noticed. Their long robes flowed about their bodies making it appear as if they were hovering over the ground instead of walking on it. The cowl of their robe creating a tunnel of sorts hiding their face in shadows. The uniform was designed to give the adjudicators as few identifying characteristics as possible until the moment judgement was passed. While Jessa might have missed their arrival, Ian and Kelly were far more cognizant of their surroundings. He nudged Kelly giving a quick head nod to the side before turning his attention to Pellan. “Why are there adjudicators here?”

Ian’s statement caused a flash of concern over Pellan’s face. Later he would question how Ian knew exactly who they were but now Pellan had other issues. “Adar,” he said to his companion in a tense tone. No other words were needed. Adar Vyce spun in a crisp about face and headed directly towards them. Both men needed Jessa as far away from the adjudicators as possible for now. “Captain, Lt Commander, I think we should go,” he gestured to the shuttle. “I know you have a multitude of questions and your crew must be on edge. Hopefully my presence on your ship will ease those tensions.”

Jessa, Kelly and Pellan

“They have come for me,” Jessa stated in a tense tone. “I am to be questioned and tried based on my actions as a traitor against the Galactic Union.” She cast a glance at both Ian and Pellan. Her age did not hide the fact she was scared in the moment even though she attempted to keep her voice level and breathing regulated.

“Over my dead body,” Kelly replied staring Pellan down as if he was the enemy. Instinctively she and Ian made a human defensive wall with Ian pulling her behind him and Kelly stepping forward slightly.

Jessa Novar

Pellan ignored the statements and gave Kelly a bland look. Looking through her, he adjusted his body so that his gaze was fixed on Jessa. “You have declared protectorate status for this Federation. We have until the diplomatic Corp notarizes the official claim before anything else proceeds. The glory of the Union above all personal gains or disputes.” He kept a neutral expression. It was the years of service which allowed him to do so. Jessa looked good: Good but different. All his concerns about her well being had been alleviated the moment his eyes fell on her. Her clothing was a mixture of this Federation and theirs. She had forgone the long robes and white tunic to wear something far more casual and colorful. Jessa’s intricate braids had been replaced with a single pony tail that showed her youth as it swayed with every step she took. What surprised him most was the lacquer on her nails. It was a surprisingly bright blue that instantly reminded him of the ocean from his home world. Was this a choice from nostalgia or defiance of the Union based on her exposure to these people. Time would tell.

“We need to depart now,” Vyce stated in a firm tone moving almost through the group as if to indicate the urgency of the situation. He walked past Pellan and separated Kelly and Ian, never stopping his pace. His shoulder bumped Ian’s slightly in a calculated gesture.

“You are I are about to have a serious philosophical debate,” Ian growled at the man’s back.

“Please,” Pellan gestured towards the shuttle. “After you.” He seethed at the aggression towards Ian Bordeaux. It was over the top and not needed but everyone had their roles to play in this plan.

Reaching the shuttle, Vyce waited at the opening to usher all the occupants on. “I will see to the arrangements to receive our new guests while you are gone.” He did not wait for a response but turned sharply on his heel and walked away. The click was clean and echoed throughout the hangar like an old fashioned gunshot. The only sound now filling the space was the clicking of his boots on the hard metallic surface as he moved away from the group.

The flight over to the Atlantis was silent. No one spoke from either ship and counted the seconds until it landed back on the Atlantis. Kelly was over the political games and wanted answers. She did not say a word but lead Pellan back to her quarters. The ready room was a far more appropriate space but there was no way she was allowing them that close to the bridge.

Kelly Bordeaux

The moment the doors sealed shut behind them, the mood drastically changed. Jessa rushed into Pellan’s arms as he dropped to one knee. She wrapped her arms around his neck holding him tightly. “I knew you would come,” she whispered into his robes. His hands held her tight making Jessa fight back tears that were welling up in her eyes. She had cried so many times both before her departure from the Vela Astia and upon entering the Milky Way. Nothing about her situation had changed with his arrival but somehow is presence made everything feel better.

“Always,” he replied tightening his grip slightly. Moments like this was rare for both of them. It was hard for either of them to get away from their positions within the Galactic Union. “There will never be a time I will not find you but,” he pulled her back. “We are going to have a long talk about what you did.”

Ian felt a flash of anger course through his body. All the platitudes would be lost on a child however an adult knew better. No government had launched a fleet of a thousand ships for one person since Helen was kidnapped and take to Troy. “Jessa why don’t you help Kelly get some snacks together for us,” he said in a firm but friendly tone.

Jessa held on to Pellan just long enough for Ian to wonder if his request fell on deaf ears. To his surprise, she complied however the worry on her face did not disappear even after the embrace with Pellan.

Jessa Novar

Pellan watched as Jessa complied noting the small amount of hesitation. Was it due to him? Had she fallen in step with these people in less than a month? The revelation concerned him on many levels. Losing her to these people had always been a calculated risk but one Pellan hadn’t actually believed in.

Jessa Novar