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Cptn d'Ka

The Needs of the Many

The Needs of the Many
Captain Je’rit d’Ka
Captain Chirakis Kirel

 

Sky Harbor Aegis
Stardate 2388.044

 

Sindar bonding knows no boundaries. The two become one, most prominently in their psionic connection, which is irrevocable and, at times, disturbing. Even distance cannot contain it. It knows no boundaries except those set by the bondmates themselves.

 

Now, as Captain d’Ka consulted Chief Basser regarding Aegis’ remaining fighters, he felt Kirel’s thoughts creep into his consciousness. It was a plan taking shape, slowly forming in her mind, and he knew that the plan she was considering could easily be the station’s only option.

 

Knowing full well that he could not do what she asked, she would demand it anyway. Such was her nature. He was forbidden by oath, and the consequences were unimaginable. And yet, he might have no choice.

 

This same situation had happened before, and now the memory burst from his subconscious: a hungry, lingering presence, waiting for this, his most vulnerable moment. As her plan took shape, his internal conflict grew. D’Ka excused himself from his conversation with Chief Basser and moved to a secluded area of Aegis’ fighter bay to wait… and prepare.

 

During Operation Mist Station 3, starships bearing many of Aegis’ crew had come under attack by a formidable enemy. Their ships were disabled and total annihilation was imminent. Missouri could have helped. It did not. And yet, they were saved—by a Sindar ship. By chance? By a quirk of fate? When she read the report, Kirel’s fury was overwhelming. It was something he would not… he could not forget.

 

And now, in the face of imminent attack by perhaps a more formidable foe, d’Ka felt her wondering if he would help... or sacrifice them all.

______________

Sky Harbor Aegis

After Mist Station 3

Stardate 2387.181

 

In the stillness of her office, Chirakis Kirel looked up from the mission report and stared at the man she thought she knew, the one she thought she understood. In actuality, what she knew was but a shadow, and in that instance of understanding she realized she would never know the fullness of the being known to her as Je’rit d’Ka. Forged in the fires of uncertainty and tempered on an anvil of war, their bond had endured thus far, and thus it would remain, and yet….

 

“You knew it would happen,” she whispered intensely, at a loss to explain her calm despite the roiling turmoil within, the anger that threatened to consume her. “You watched.”

 

“I did.”

 

“And you did… nothing!”

 

D’Ka’s expression held a hidden torment, his eyes violet with anger, despair, or both. The usual psionic bond he shared with her had been withdrawn—absent throughout their conversation. Kirel had wondered why. Until now.

 

Missouri was not there,” he said after a long pause, his voice strained, “ordered by Starfleet to refrain from contact. I watched events unfold through a psionic connection to Captain d’Rin of the Sindar starship Athicus. For reasons of his own, he shadowed them into the system, and he did not guard his thoughts. Whether intentional or not, he projected his experiences to me. They were uncontrollably painful. In essence, I was there.”

 

The Sindar captain paused, hesitant. “He should not have interfered. Despite the danger, despite their dire need… d’Rin should not have interfered.”

 

Kirel’s gaze turned deadly, and her tone venomous. “Yet, had he not interfered, they would have died. To the last man.”

 

“Possibly. And their vessels destroyed, leaving no trace.”

 

His body sank wearily into the chair, and his gaze wandered through the observation window to the USS Missouri at her mooring, its presence dwarfing the other vessels in size, magnificence, and power. His voice dropped to a whisper.

 

“As does Starfleet, the Sindar have a code of noninterference, the Sindar code taking precedence. As a Starfleet officer I am held to both codes. D’Rin abides only by the Sindar code; he has no conflict in his decisions. Therein lies the conundrum. I am both thankful for, and troubled by his actions.

 

“The Sindar are a people of peace,” he sighed, “and yet we build starships of immense destructive power: irreconcilable opposites. Long ago we thought ourselves invincible. We were nearly destroyed by our hubris and were drawn unwillingly into war.

 

“There is always someone more powerful, Thytrin. Always. Or someone more cunning. It was a lesson learned at great price. My wife... our children.” He sighed. “And so we built ships of war for protection. Ships of destruction that would guarantee our peace.”

 

One hand waved listlessly at the ship that glowed against the dark void beyond.

 

“I am a man of peace, and yet Missouri’s fighter bays are lined with swift, sure, accurate instruments of destruction manned by the most elite pilots. Its batteries are stocked with unimaginable munitions. We have weapons and devices aboard of which only I and Lie’ri are aware. Starfleet patrols its borders for protection, for peace, and yet the ship I command was built for one thing, and one thing only.”

 

His gaze implored a response, perhaps an answer to the paradox.

She had none to give.

He turned away.

 

“You know how psionically powerful we are, Thytrin,” he sighed. “One thought, unguarded, could destroy every being within this station, or at the very least it would drive them mad. Such power should never have been granted by the One that rules the universe. The Sindar guard it as a sacred trust and allow only the most reticent to leave the confines of our system. In saving those we both hold dear he violated that sacred trust; it will not go unpunished.” ⧫

_____________

Sky Harbor Aegis

Stardate 2388.044

(Present Date)

 

In the relative quiet of the fighter bay’s secluded corner, he felt it begin. She focused, resolute and determined. It both amazed and disturbed him that she, a non-telepathic Bajoran, when bonded, could project her thoughts so easily while still attending to a conversation with a diplomat in Command and Control. Apparently their bond was stronger than he imagined. That, in itself, was dangerous, especially to her. She had no idea….

 

Bracing himself against a bulkhead, he breathed deeply and summoned wisdom from the One who rules the universe.

 

We have need of your talent, she finally projected.

 

Explain, he replied, though he already knew.

 

A diversion to stop the alien fleet for... a time.

 

His jaw clenched in grief. I cannot. You know I cannot.

 

Then the Federation will fall. The Joint Allied Powers will fall. This is but the aliens’ first attempt. There will be more. You swore an oath to Starfleet.

 

His oath. His bond. He swallowed hard. It could kill you.

 

Then so be it. I swore an oath to Starfleet, and to the Federation.

 

She did not hesitate. He should have known. His forehead pressed into the cold metal frame of the bulkhead as he sank against it, devastated.

 

Thytrin….

 

Just DO it!

 

“Captain d’Ka? Sir, are you alright?”

 

D’Ka’s distraction had been so complete that he had not heard Chief Brasser approach; he had not noticed his presence at all. Pushing to a stand, d’Ka turned slowly and wiped a hand down his face to mask his emotions, but his eyes remained a deep purple.

 

“I am fine, thank you, Chief. Only weary.” He forced a smile. “As are we all. Carry on. Give me ten minutes, and I will return. In the meantime, configure that fighter to accept my commands.”

 

“Aye, aye, Captain,” said Brasser, not quite convinced. “Do you need anything?”

 

“Only a few moments of peace,” d’Ka replied more boldly. The chief nodded, then returned to the fighter. D’ka waited until the bay chief was well out of range for the task he was about to perform.

______________________________

The Things We Carry

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