Posted by Lieutenant Aasrel Izei (Assistant Medical Chief) in New Orders

Posted by Lieutenant Bethany Kovra Gadi (Chief Tactical/Lead RTF Officer) in New Orders

Posted by Lieutenant Aasrel Izei (Assistant Medical Chief) in New Orders
Posted by… suppressed (26) by the Post Ghost! 👻

Having finished their time on Betazed, Aasrel and Bethany intended to finish their vacation time on Earth, with Bethany’s uncles. Aasrel had found Earth intriguing and strange. He recognized this was how Bethany felt, except he lacked that vague sense of familiarity Bethany had felt around Betazed.

Bethany had left Betazed with a sense of relief, a lot of healing, and a pang of loss. She adored Aasrel’s family. For part of their trip they had traveled with his brother Masas, so Rel had gotten a little more time with him.

Bethany’s uncles had been overjoyed to have her home. Bethany had folded into their arms and cried like she had the night they had saved her. She had missed them more than she had realized. They had given Aasrel a hard time at first, but it had been easy to tell they liked him. The love in over protectiveness they had of Bethany was genuine, but the hard time was all for show to tease Bethany. It was hard to lie to them. They knew something was wrong, but she could never tell them. It hurt.

They were in the living room of the house of one of Bethany’s family members when both Bethany and Aasrel received messages on their Starfleet PaDDs. Aasrel’s read as follows:

Aasrel Izei:

You are hereby issued new orders and to report to your new duty station ASAP.

DUTY STATION: USS LEVIATHAN
OFFICER RANK: LIEUTENANT
POSITION: ASSISTANT MEDICAL CHIEF, HEAD OF BETA SICKBAY
[Some other military information was listed]

Commodore Theodore Menéndez

~ Izei, CMO

Bethany had gone to her mother’s grave that day. She was already sad and seeing her grandfather’s grave, knowing it was empty, and who had been in that coffin was… torture.

She looked at her PaDD, wishing she could ignore the ping, but she had a duty. A new duty assignment? That was not what she had been expecting. Hers read:

Bethany Gadi:

You are hereby issued new orders and to report to your new duty station ASAP.

DUTY STATION: USS LEVIATHAN
OFFICER RANK: LIEUTENANT
POSITION: CHIEF TACTICAL OFFICER/RTF LEAD

[Some other military information was listed]

Commodore Theodore Menéndez

Bethany read it twice. She was being demoted. There was a letter explaining why, but she didn’t read it. They hadn’t even given her a hearing. She should be angry, but she couldn’t muster the energy. Tactical and RTF. What the blazes was RTF?

Then another reality sank in. Aasrel must have gotten orders to return to the Azzie. They were being separated. This was the end of the line for her. She’d never survive on her own, and there was no one to trust. She’d never heard if the Leviathan, so another suicide mission then? They were getting rid of her.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Aasrel looked up at her, worry all over his face. “I’m reassigned,” he said, shocked. “To USS Leviathan. I’ve never heard of that ship.”

~ Izei, CMO

Something pricked her mind, the name. She was sure she hadn’t heard of it, but at the same time… Bethany shook her head, “So have I.” Relief flooded her. She wasn’t going alone. Rel would be with her.

“Bethy?” Cayden, the youngest uncle and who still had a bit of boyishness about him. Which was endearing since he was in his 60s. “You’re leaving already?”

Kain, the middle uncle, threw an arm around her. “Nope. I’m going to kidnap our girl. No one knows these mountains like me. They will never find her.” Bethany grinned. It was true, but she wasn’t worried. She wish she could stay.

Lachlan didn’t say anything. He crossed his arms and just watched with that intense stare. He was quick, and had honed in on the pertinent fact. Their little girl was being sent on some secret mission. again, to a place no one knew. He would burn the universe down if anything happened to her.

Bethany rested her head on Cayden’s shoulder. “It seems so. We’ll have to arrange transport. I might be able to sneak a couple extra days in.” She wasn’t ready to leave.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Aasrel smiled sadly. “Sorry to cut the visit short, but they’re expecting us right away.” He said.

~ Izei, CMO

Lachlan didn’t like it, and Bethany could feel it. His mistrust and anger over what had happened to her, and the frustration that he hadn’t been with her and that he couldn’t lock her in her room and keep her safe. They all felt it, but Lachlan was more intense.

There was a tense intensity in the air that made Aasrel really uncomfortable. It was obviously based in their love for her, though. Her uncle Cayden was the one to break it.

Cayden sighed, “Well then, you should run down to the general store and stock up. We’ll make dinner while your gone.”

Bethany hadn’t wanted a to leave, but she figured her uncles wanted to surprise her with her favorites. She needed to stock up on coffee anyway. She needed provisions for Luna too. And the general store had an endless supply of everything from clothes to candy to tools for Rel to pick from.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Aasrel smiled a little nervously at Bethany. He used to love exploring new places. Now they made him nervous. He’d been nervous most of the time they’d spent on Earth. The new orders didn’t help. He had no idea what to expect. “Come on, Bethany. We’ll only be gone a while.”

~ Izei, CMO

Bethany got up and followed Aasrel out grabbing a couple of backpacks by the door. They walked down to the store. Her uncles’ house was part way up the moutain, and the store was in the valley. It’s okay, Rel. The store is a one stop. It will be mostly empty right now. Most everyone is heading home for dinner. Miss Pearson is sweet and she has a thing for Uncle Lachlan. She’s curious but she’s polite and won’t ask everything she wants to know.

Bethany was right. The only person in the store was Miss Pearson, who spoke to Bethany for a few minutes and told them both to tell her if they needed help and then let them browse. Bethany got her coffee, a few shirts, soaps, and a new throw blanket.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Aasrel picked up some candy and treats he’d especially liked, a throw blanket of his own, and some shirts (long sleeves of course).

~ Izei, CMO

Walking up to the counter, was a long glass display case. It was filled with knives of all types and utility items. Bethany picked out a few, requested a very thorough first aid kit, and something labeled ‘survival’ pack. She distributed the items between the two backpacks she’d brought along and paid.

“Oh, Bethy,” Miss Pearson said, “will you carry this up to your uncles?” She placed a parcel on the counter.

Bethany picked up the package, that was still warm. Bread and coffee cakes, homemade by Miss Pearson. “No problem. I know they’ll appreciate it.” Bethany added it to her pack and they left. They slipped into the treeline right before the next set of locals arrived.

The woods were beautiful and Bethany filled the hike back with endless stories about growing up there and things that had happened. Lore and survival craft she knew about almost everything they passed. Before they reached the house, Bethany stopped. “Thank you. For coming with me. I know… I can tell this hasn’t been comfortable for you.”

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Aasrel smiled and set a hand on her shoulder. “You suffered through Betazed with me. Besides, you’ve been happier than I’ve seen you in a while.”

~ Izei, CMO

“I liked Betazed. Really. It was hard, all the memories, but I’m glad you took me. Your family is amazing.” Bethany shrugged, “I guess…” she felt bad, guilty almost because she was lying to them. “I feel safe here. I know they love me just the way I am. I’m just Bethany. I know they love me. I was never… a half breed to them. And I have you now too.” She looked toward the house. “I always knew, no matter what happened, they would fix it. They would keep me safe. They would keep the monsters away.” She sighed, “My monsters were very real.”

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Aasrel looked back at the house and nodded. “They seem really nice, Bethany. I don’t know why I can’t get comfortable.”

~ Izei, CMO

Bethany thought she knew. Her uncles were intimidating and she and Aasrel knew they had El-Arian empathy. They couldn’t tell them, so when would they be caught in the lie? Or Aasrel couldn’t be comfortable with others when he was still unsure of himself. “We’ve only been here a couple of days. We haven’t had time to relax yet. Maybe one day, we’ll really get to visit.”

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Aasrel hung onto her arm. “I hope so.” He said. “I wish it hadn’t been cut short.”

~ Izei, CMO

She hugged him. Me too. I’m glad they didn’t recall us while we were on Betazed.” Aasrel had needed that visit, and their visit with the priestess had made a huge difference for him, and she would admit for her as well. “Come on. We’ll eat, get some sleep and then see about travel.” She grinned suddenly, “Hey! I can get my shuttle back now.”

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

It had. It had reconnected him to his faith, that he’d felt lost from since the Borg. It seemed to ease him to be able to see something good in the universe again. Aasrel laughed. “You get your shuttle back?”

~ Izei, CMO

“Well yeah, maybe. The Azimov was too small. There was no room to dock her. Maybe this Leviathan will be, and we can take my shuttle.” Bethany shrugged. “It’s older, nothing fancy. Something the Admiral insists on. That way we always have a safe out. No matter what happens. It has a coffee maker and a nice bed.”

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

“I’d rather fly with you than anyone else,” Aasrel commented.

~ Izei, CMO

Bethany bumped her shoulder with his, a small smile on her face. “Awww, Doc, are you sweet on me?”

Aasrel grinned, “Maybe a little.”

Despite their imminent departure, dinner was lively and happy. They had made all of her favorites (which meant there was way too much food) and made sure to include Earth foods that Bethany had told them Aasrel liked. Her uncles missed no chance to tell an embarrassing story about Bethany as a child. Their argument was they had to get it in while she was still there. They were relaxed and easygoing with Aasrel treating him like a long time family friend.

It helped him relax, but he still seemed on edge. He wore long sleeves and his gloves, like always. It was summer and the heat was awful, but he couldn’t not.

Bethany had gone to put Luna in her cage for the night and Kain had then taken her outside for a walk. Lachlan and Cayden approached Aasrel, looking extremely serious, sleeves rolled up past their elbows. Lachlan gave him a piercing look and the emotions coming off of him were deadly serious. He held his arm out. “You need blood for Bethany in case anything else happens. You can’t synthesize it, you were lucky you found a match. As far as we know the the four of us, our family, are the only match. We all donated for her when she was a kid.”

“Take what you need. Kain will donate too when they get back,” Cayden told him.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Aasrel glanced between them, nodded, and retrieved his medical kit and opened it. “We can’t synthesis her blood. It’s” he was going to say something to explain it away, but he sensed no surprise, only that deadly seriousness, that concern. In fact, he sensed…

“You know.”

~ Izei, CMO

Cayden nodded, Lachlan only grunted. “We suspected it might happen when Mairin got pregnant. At first everything seemed fine. There was never any indication of issues. Not until..” Cayden paused, rage and grief and overwhelming need to protect filled him.

Lachlan set a hand on his shoulder. “The night that b@st@rd Edah tried to kill Bethany we knew. She had to have blood and when the doctor ran her type, he came to me for a donation. It was like that growing up. Our dad always donated for us or we donated for each other. Most people can take O- blood, but we can’t. I’m certain our dad knew about it and why, but he’s not available to ask.”

“She’s not asking us any questions, and that’s not like our Bethy. She was like that after that night. She didn’t want answers. She was afraid to face what happened and afraid of the answers. When she starts asking, have her call us. We will be around.” There was something in the way Cayden said it, like it didn’t matter how much time passed before Bethany was ready. They knew they aged slower. As Aasrel watched them, he could see the older man act was just that. They slumped their posture, wore slightly baggy clothes, slowed and shuffled their gait. It was possible their grey hairs were actually cosmetic. They were actually extremely fit and tone. They were in their 60s, Lachlan in his 70s, but they looked at oldest, maybe 45. That wasn’t just healthy living.

They both sat down at the table, forearms resting on top, extended. “Take what you need. There is enough stored at the hospital if anything happens to one of us.”

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Aasrel filled several vials - as much as he felt it was safe to take from each of them. “Thank you. I… We appreciate this.” He switched to telepathy, it was secure in that, with his ability no one would over hear unless he wanted them to. When she has questions I will tell her you’re available to answer them but I don’t think we’ll be able to comm you about it.

~ Izei, CMO

Lochlan held his arm bent for a moment as he stood and left the room. He came back and held out a data chip. Her uncles were not telepaths, but focused thoughts were a strong second. I’d rather her hear it from us, than from a recording, but if you think it can’t wait, give her this.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Aasrel nodded, took the data chip, and stored it in his medical case. *Thank you.”

~ Izei, CMO

Lachlan nodded and gave an affirmative grunt and then left the room. Cayden rolled his eyes. “Don’t mind him. He thinks he can fix everything for her. He probably can, but he won’t. He knows that’s not what Bethy wants or what’s best for her. It kills him.” It killed them all. Watching the Edah had controlled every single moment of Bethany’s young life, had strongly curbed that impulse in all three men. Even when they knew better than she did or she was in danger of being hurt in some way, they had to let her decide and simply be there when she asked for help.

“She’s in love with you, you know. Completely, in a way they write stories about. She’ll give everything and then some. Mairin was like that.” There was such sadness and grief when they said her name, but joyous love too. “Thank you, for taking care of her.” Cayden held out his left hand to shake, so Aasrel wouldn’t have to use his prosthetic hand. It was seemed smooth and unconscious, and it was, but it was also an indication of wanting Aasrel to feel comfortable.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Aasrel shook his hand with his left. “I do too. Fully and completely. I… She saved me,” Aasrel said softly.

~ Izei, CMO

Cayden nodded, “Put herself at risk too didn’t she?” Aasrel didn’t have to answer that, Cayden knew it. “She’ll never regret it either. We all think you’ve been good for her. No matter what we say or do, Bethany has always moved through life like she had a sign sewn to her clothes saying she was a worthless child. She always acted like she had earn our love, her friends, acceptance, the right to live. That was never true, but Edah made her feel like that.” He’d like to get his hands on him again. “She’s different with you. She’s comfortable and happy with you in a way she never has been. We can’t thank you enough for that.”

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Aasrel smiled sadly. “Guess it’s easier to feel like a person when you spend all of your time around half of one.”

~ Izei, CMO

Cayden flinched back as if Aasrel had hit him. He shook his head slightly to clear the devastatingly harsh musical note that came with the words. Then he shook his head sadly. “She doesn’t see you like that. Surely you know that. You feel it,” he tapped a single finger to the middle of Aasrel’s chest, even though he was sure the doctor wouldn’t be comfortable with the contact. He let out a single humorless chuckle. “The ironic thing is, she’d probably say the same about you. You can feel more whole again because she’s worthless and a half breed that no one wants.”

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

“You’re empathic,” Aasrel noted. No one reacted that harshly without having a deeper feeling for emotions. “Like.... Well, I won’t say it.” He wasn’t comfortable, but he didn’t object either. “She’s wrong. No one cares what she is.” Well, aside the augment part, but no one that mattered to Aasrel knew about that.

~ Izei, CMO

Cayden nodded, “We all are.” He shook his head again. “And Bethany doesn’t care about what you think you are. None of us do. She only cares about who you are.” The thing was her uncles would never have realized he had prosthetics or had had Borg implants removed if Bethany hadn’t given them a quick summary of what had happened to them. How things came about. They didn’t see it, or more importantly it wasn’t significant enough to factor into their opinion of him.

It wasn’t his place to tell them both they were being stupid. To stop worrying about the past and look forward. They had to figure that out on their own. “You’re good for each other. Don’t stay away, okay. Either of you.”

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

“We won’t, I promise.” The sound of sincerity was strong with his words. It may not be their place, but Aasrel’s telepathy picked it up anyway. “I wish it were that easy,” he sighed.

~ Izei, CMO

He smiled at the sincerity. “Aasrel,” he sighed, “I wish it was that easy too. But, I do know, the harder something is, the more precious the end on the other side is. It’s okay to be afraid, just don’t give in.” He looked out the window and jutted his chin at what he saw. “Don’t let her either.”

He rolled his sleeve down and buttoned the cuffs. The door opened and Bethany and Kain entered. “What have you been up to?” Bethany asked as she walked over to Aasrel and slipped into the curve of his arm.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Aasrel hugged her gently. “Being medically prepared, that’s all. One more,” he pointed to Kain. “Right?”

~ Izei, CMO

She gave him a funny look. After the last year, medically prepared made her nervous, but also knowing Aasrel was looking out for her was comforting.

“Come on Bethy. Kain got you, now it’s my turn.” She laughed. Kissed Rel’s cheek and followed her uncle into the other room. Kain sat down and rolled up his sleeve. “Is she really alright?”

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Aasrel grimaced and offered a half shrug. Knowing they were all empathic, there was no reason to try to lie. “She’s better.” He said as he readied the blood drawing hypo.

~ Izei, CMO

“So she’s still sick? That problem, in her brain is going to come back?” Kain knew, emotionally something was going on though Bethany wouldn’t talk about it. Right now he wanted to know about her physical health.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

“No,” Aasrel shook his head. “Now that… The cause for it, is known, it’s cured.” He said. “She’s perfectly healthy.”

~ Izei, CMO

“Good.” The tension drained from his shoulders. “Take whatever you need.”

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Aasrel did the same as the others, took as much as it was safe to take. His medical kit was full of blood. “I look like a weird vampire,” he joked as he stored them. “But really, thank you. Her job is so dangerous and knowing I couldn’t help her....” He shuddered.

~ Izei, CMO

“After we got custody of Bethany, we started making sure we all donated regularly just in case. Bethany never asked why. I guess she just thought we were being eccentric or over protective.” He grinned ruefully, “She wouldn’t be wrong.”

He pulled his sleeve down. “We’d do anything for either of you. You just have to tell us. You can play vampire any time.”

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Aasrel smiled. “I just want her safe.” He said. “Don’t care about much else these days.”

~ Izei, CMO

“I’m glad she’s found you, Aasrel. I’m glad we got to meet you.” Kain offered his hand like Cayden had. “Have a safe trip.”

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Aasrel shook it. “Thanks.” He packed up his medical kit. “I… guess I need to pack.”

~ Izei, CMO

Bethany was in the room they were sharing. It had always been hers. She looked up when he came in. “They weren’t giving you a hard time were they?”

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

“Huh? No, not at all.” Aasrel replied, shaking his head. “No, they’ve been great.”

~ Izei, CMO

“Good. They can be a lot. Lachlan especially. He’s intense and very protective. He’ll do anything for his family. Like…” She started to say like her grandfather. It was what she had always been told, but Uncle Lachlan was nothing like Elias Balthazar. “They like you.”

Aasrel smiled. “I know. I’m relieved.”

She rolled the blanket she’d bought and out it in her bag and closed it. She picked up her PaDD. “I’ll see what I can find out about transportation.”

Unfortunately, Star Fleet was on top of everything. Their transport left first thing in the morning.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

The transport left the next morning. It was too soon for vacation to end. But sometimes, that was how Starfleet was. It took some time to arrive at Leviathan. Soon though, they were aboard a shuttle preparing to dock with the ship.

~ Izei, CMO

Bethany had managed to get her shuttle. F’actar had flown it out to meet one of their transports. Now Bethany, Rel, and Luna were on board her shuttle, Athena. “There she is,” Bethany said as the huge Mjolnir-class hung in space in front of them. =/\=Shuttle Athena or USS Leviathan. Requesting permission to dock.=/\= Bethany transmitted their orders and identification codes.

After a long pause, =/\=You are cleared to dock Athena. Shuttle bay 2. Leviathan out.=/\= Bethany angled the shuttle, “So much for a friendly welcome.”

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

“Maybe they don’t know who we are,” Aasrel said. He started gathering Luna’s things, figuring they could come back for his own things once their pet was safe in someone’s quarters.

~ Izei, CMO

“Maybe,” Bethany said. Not like we know who they are, either. The shuttle approached the bay doors as they began to open. The force field shimmered into life and then sparked softly as the Athena slid through.

They knew nothing about the ship or its mission. It was locked up tight. Bethany’s paranoia flared. “Maybe we should leave Luna on the shuttle. In case we need to make a quick retreat? I won’t leave without her.”

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

“Hmm. Good idea.” Aasrel left Luna’s carrier and grabbed a different bag instead. He waited to open the door till Bethany was ready.

~ Izei, CMO

The shuttle settled and Bethany began the standby sequence. “You remember how to deactivate the shuttle’s security system?” It was extensive and unique. It would also deliver a painful shock to anyone unauthorized to approach. Bethany had made sure to show Rel how it worked and added him to the shuttle’s command functions.

Aasrel nodded. “I’ve got it memorized.” He said, smiling at her.

She stood from the pilot’s seat and walked toward the back. She scooped up Luna and nuzzled her. “In your carrier, just in case, while we’re gone. You’ll be safe.” She set her in the carrier and closed it. She shrugged into her black leather jacket and grabbed her duffle. “Alright, let’s go.” Aasrel could feel her paranoia building, screaming to turn around a run or to curl up and hide. It killed her outrageous devil may care attitude.

Lt. Gadi, CTO/RTF

They exited the shuttle and then went through the door to the shuttle bay. It was a large and spacious ship. But what came around the corner had to be the biggest coincidence of their lives: a woman with long brown hair. Her left eye was a Borg implant. Down her arm was another, and there appeared to be others on her body, covered by her engineering uniform.

Bethany saw her a split second before Aasrel’s panic hit her. His panic and her paranoia was NOT a safe combination in her head. She spun looking for the threat, a hidden knife in her sleeve ready to drop.

But Aasrel wasn’t ready to see that. One moment he was walking happily with Bethany, and then his head turned and he saw the officer, and he stopped dead in the middle of a word with a look of pure panic. “Bethany, that’s… No… I can’t,” he said, between suddenly hyperventilated breaths. Staggering backwards, he tripped over his own feel and fell, only to continue moving backwards on the ground.

~ Izei, AMO

Oh if only calm could reign. Bethany’s instincts told her the woman was not a threat. In fact she felt bad for Aasrel. So many had been traumatized by the Borg, including herself. She wanted to help, but quickly moved down the corridor.

Bethany knelt in front of him. “Rel, look at me.” He didn’t answer. “Aasrel,” she said sharply and still nothing. REL! Look at me! Panic laced her own voice. She’s gone. Get up. We’re leaving. She stood, her increased strength letting her pull him up. Both hands on his shoulders she turned him. Shuttle, now. We’re getting out of here. Everything was wrong. This was a trap, it wasn’t safe.

Lt. Gadi, CTO/RTF

Aasrel was pulled up by her, but his knees were shaky and he wasn’t so much walking by her as being dragged towards the shuttle. Her panic made his worse. His thoughts were a disordered jumble of fear of Borg, nonsensical fear of the poor crew woman. Until they neared the shuttle and he shook his head repeatedly. “No, Bethany, we can’t leave, we- we’re supposed to be here. We can’t go. We can’t.”

~ Izei, AMO

Walk beside me, Rel. She slipped her PaDD into her bag. If they ask we forgot, I forgot my PaDD with my orders. You can even make a joke about how I am always misplacing things. Come on, we can do this. She would break them out, and then they would disappear. She knew who would help too.

Lt. Gadi, CTO/RTF