Captain’s Log, Stardate 2387.056

[Chirakis 1]

Captain’s Log, Stardate 2387.056

Chirakis Kirel, Captain, SI-5

Sky Harbor Aegis Command

(A Chirakis-JoNs Joint Log)

 

The promised two days had turned into twenty-two before Kirel stepped in slow, measured pace through the docking ring from the Revenge onto the station. The deck seemed to sigh with every step, as though in sympathy with the universe, mourning the death of a star, the destruction of a planet and a good number of its people.

 

Heads turned briefly in her direction, their eyes staring but seeing little, their attention returning swiftly to mounted monitors of the Federation News Network reporting “live from Romulan space.” The same few images flashed in endless repetition every few minutes, all showing scrambling evacuees in supposedly chaotic transports followed by stark landscapes - all falsified, of course, to feed a media frenzy.

 

Since the Romulan High Command had taken strict control of evacuations and the gamma ray burst had knocked out most civilian electronics and communications within the sector, the likelihood of such images coming live or otherwise was absurd. The media would be dealt with - in time.

 

A flicking tail in her peripheral vision brought the station commander’s attention to her Caitian security escort, Commander JoNs, who handed her a secure communications padd.

 

“Missouri, Captain,” she purred, her ears flattened against an anguished cry from the crowd.

 

Kirel nodded and strode toward the command lift. She’d seen enough. Romulans and their families had enough to deal with without the media feeding the fire.

 

“Captain Chirakis.”

 

Just short of the lift, Kirel turned to the familiar voice of Captain Nero, one of the most prosperous miners in the asteroid field. “Tell me, my friend... if you can... of ch’Rihan.”

 

As soon as the words were out, several others pressed in to listen, eliciting a low growl and threatening stance from Commander JoNs as the brown furred felinoid stepped closer to the captain’s side.

 

As the curious onlookers continued to talk excitedly around her - and began to pester her with questions - the Commander’s ears re-flattened at the quick departure of Chirakis with the miner, Nero. The woman is indeed a force to be reckoned with...

 

Kirel pulled him into the lift, entered her command code, and slipped into Nero’s Rihan dialect as they ascended together. “The initial word is,” she began, choosing her words carefully, “that the planet itself is intact...” she paused to allow him a moment of relief, “...however, those outside the planetary shields did not survive a gamma ray burst. As for the numbers, the condition of the shielded cities and towns, and survivors, I have received no definitive information. I would hope the High Command and government officials survived, though at this point nothing is certain.”

 

The Rihan captain’s eyes searched hers for a moment before he nodded, whispering his thanks.

 

“And your wife?”

 

Nero’s expression brightened considerably. “Well, thank you. We have a son, born yesterday, early morning.”

 

...just as the star went nova.

 

“Allow me to offer my congratulations,” said Kirel. “I have a vintage Rihan ale saved for just such an occasion. When the station is settled we must have a toast to his future.”

 

“Yes. Yes, Captain.” Nero’s enthusiasm spilled into the control tower as the door opened. “I would enjoy that. And... I thank you for your time.”

 

A firm clasp, forearm to forearm, bonded the agreement. Kirel stepped from the lift, but not before giving her friend a parting nod. Only then did she turn her attention to the padd, and word from the USS Missouri.