Post 175: Calming the family
Posted on Fri Dec 20th, 2024 @ 3:50am by Lieutenant Commander Michael McMahon & Lieutenant Thomas Ryan MD & First Star Admiral Dakota Olvera
Edited on on Fri Dec 20th, 2024 @ 3:53am
777 words; about a 4 minute read
Mission: Secrets
The observation lounge of Starbase Obsidian was unusually quiet, its large windows framing the endless expanse of stars. Dr. Tom Ryan sat at a corner table, his coffee untouched as he scrolled through holographic data on the Synthulans. He was focused, but the weight of worry etched deep lines into his face.
The door slid open, and Lieutenant Commander Mike McMahon entered, his uniform slightly rumpled and his expression tense. As soon as he saw Thomas, he let out a heavy sigh and sat down without waiting for an invitation.
“Tom,” Mike began, his voice strained. “Please tell me you’ve got something. Anything.”
Tom folded his hands on the table and looked at Mike calmly. “I’ve been analyzing the Synthulan nanites in Chris’s system. They’re still emitting a faint quantum signal. I think we can use it to track him.”
Mike blinked, a flicker of hope crossing his face. “Really? You can find him?”
“It’s not that simple,” Tom cautioned. “The Synthulans operate across dimensions. The signal I’ve isolated matches an anomaly I've found, but we’ll need to recalibrate Starfleet’s sensors to lock onto it. It’s a start, but it’s risky.”
Mike leaned forward, his hands gripping the edge of the table. “Tom, I’ll take any risk if it means finding him. He’s not just my uncle—he’s the closest thing I’ve had to a father. I can’t lose him. I can’t.”
Tom reached out and placed a steady hand on Mike’s arm. “Mike, listen to me. We’re going to find him. Chris wouldn’t give up on us, and we’re not giving up on him. I need you to stay calm and trust me on this.”
The door slid open again, and Fleet Admiral Dakota Olvera stepped into the room. Her usually commanding presence was softened by the worry in her eyes. She crossed the room and sat down with them, her hands folded tightly in front of her.
“I hope I’m not interrupting,” Dakota said quietly, her voice betraying her nerves.
“Not at all,” Tom replied, giving her a small nod.
Mike looked at his aunt, his worry mirrored in her expression. “Dakota... I didn’t think you’d want to talk about this.”
She gave him a faint smile. “Mike, Chris is my husband. Of course I want to talk about it. But I’ll be honest—I’m scared. The Synthulans aren’t like anything we’ve faced before. And Chris… He’s always been the strong one. I’m not used to him being the one who needs saving.”
The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of their shared fear hanging heavy in the air.
Then Dakota spoke again, her voice softer. “Do you remember when Chris first started teaching you how to pilot a shuttle, Mike? You were just a kid, barely tall enough to see over the controls.”
Mike chuckled despite himself. “Yeah, and I nearly crashed us into the side of Mount McKinley.”
Tom smirked. “Let me guess—Chris didn’t even flinch?”
“Not once,” Mike said, shaking his head. “He just grabbed the controls, steadied the shuttle, and said, ‘Mistakes are part of learning, kid. Just don’t make the same one twice.’”
Dakota smiled, her eyes misty with memory. “That sounds like him. Always calm under pressure. Always teaching.”
Tom leaned back in his chair, a rare smile crossing his face. “I remember the time he challenged a Vulcan diplomat to a debate about logic versus intuition. Everyone thought he’d lose, but he held his ground and actually made the Vulcan pause. It was... impressive.”
Mike laughed. “That’s Chris for you. Always surprising people.”
Dakota’s smile faltered for a moment. “He’s always been my rock. And now... now we have to be his.”
Tom nodded, his expression serious again. “And we will be. The Synthulans may be advanced, but they’re not infallible. They left us a way to find him, and I’m going to use it. We’re bringing him home.”
The three of them sat together, sharing stories about Chris—the good days, the moments that defined him. Their laughter was tinged with sadness, but it was also a reminder of the bond they shared and the man they were determined to save.
As the stars continued to shine beyond the viewport, they found strength in each other, their resolve unshakable. Chris Bradley wasn’t just a husband or an uncle or a best friend—he was family. And no matter the odds, they would bring him back.
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