Post number 257 - Pieces of a life that once was

Posted on Wed Apr 9th, 2025 @ 10:31pm by Captain Marius Pontmercy & Lieutenant Amanda Hemsley

1,165 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Secrets

On:

The small shuttle moved closer and closer to the landing pad OPS had assigned. After months away, after all that had happened, everything Amanda had gone through… After all that happened with the Federation, after all the losses, all the pain, the anger. After all the sorrow and despair. After all of it, it felt good to be home. It’s been a long road, but this is where she was needed most.

Those many weeks ago Amanda had gotten a com that everyone on board knew all too well but none ever wanted to receive. During one of the horrific attacks on Earth, Amanda’s entire family was killed. All except for one, her 7 year old niece Judith. She had been on Earth visiting her grandparents, after her parents died three years earlier. With no family left to take care of that little girl, her grandparents being elderly and having health issues, it had fallen on Amanda to step up. She hadn’t hesitated. Now, three years later Judith had witnessed her grandparents dying in a horrific attack by the Romulans. Together with many other orphaned children, she was taken from Earth to a relatively safe starbase, far from the front lines. The captain had granted Amanda extended compassionate leave to travel to Starbase 852 to be with the girl, to help her come to terms with what happened and to help her pick up the pieces of what was left of her life.

It had been the worst time for any of it. After Amanda and Katagh had left the station, news of the near total destruction of the Federation reached them. At the time it was too dangerous for a lone lightly armed shuttle to make the journey back to Starbase Obsidian, and Starfleet, what little remained, couldn’t spare any ships to rendezvous and escort them back. Making that journey alone would’ve been certain death, so there was no other choice but to stay on Starbase 852 until a plan could be put in place. A plan that was set in motion an month and a half ago. The shuttle T’Mpec set out with Amanda, Katagh, Judith and 10 replacement crewmen on board to make the long journey back to Obsidian, along the way making many detours, making sure to stay as far away from any inhabited system, listening posts and detection grids as possible. And now, 6 weeks after their departure, the shuttle touched down in the landing pad and was quickly lowered into the safety of Obsidians bow. “Little one, you report to the captain, I’ll see about getting Judith some food.”

Some twenty minutes later, Amanda arrived at the door of Captain Pontmercy’s office. She rang the bell and waited for his reply.

Marius had been preparing for a Senior Staff briefing when his door chimes. He had gotten word that Doctor Hemsley would be returning, along with her family, and was looking forward to this meeting.

"Enter," he called.

Amanda stepped in the moment the door chimed open. “Lieutenant JG Amanda Hemsley, reporting for duty, Captain.”

“Hemsley, welcome back.”Pontmercy looked her up and down for a second. “At ease. Sorry you were pulled away from time with your family, but we really need you as you can imagine.”

“It’s okay Sir” as she relaxed. “Judith might only be 8, but she understands full well that some ‘bad people’ killed her grandparents and I work for the organization that’s going to protect what’s left. So I think she’s ready to return to her life. And to be honest, so am I Sir.”

The Captain motioned for her to take a seat, and once she had done so, did the same. He sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"As you can see... A lot has changed in the time since you've been gone. We are obviously not located where we were- Lieutenant Chambers and his crew used some information that Admiral Bradley's team had been working on, modified it, and actually managed to give us stable warp engines. It would be remarkable if not for all of the horror going on around us. They also created a cloaking device for the Starbase as well. Thankfully it has kept us relatively safe for the time being." He glanced around the room for a moment, and then continued. "The Admiralty on the base is, as far as we can tell, all that remains of Starfleet Command...and the former President of the Federation and council were lost as well. They've voted in a new President, and she resides here as well. I'm not going to lie to you, Doctor, things are dire here. I've made the decision to move us through the wormhole by Bajor into the Delta Quadrant, at least for the time being. Starfleet is in ruins, and it is our job to protect it and help it grow."

Hemsley nodded. “I noticed all the commotion when coming off the shuttle.” She took a breath. “Starbase 852 was still well stocked. The commander had me stuff the shuttles hold as full as we could get it. I brought medical supplies, engineering supplies, weapons, scientific equipment and a sizable quantity of antimatter. The commander said he owed you for a game of poker he lost against you?” Marius grinned.

"Oh he does indeed." Marius chuckled to himself as he thought about that night and his luck...how he wished it had held.

"Doctor Stokes was moved to Chief Medical Officer in your absence, and she has been doing a wonderful job. I'm sure she'd love a chance to catch up with you when you have time. However, what we need now is a Chief of Surgery. The Obsidian has become one of the last Federation outposts, and with the Admiralty and the President residing here we need a hospital, and I'd like you to manage that. What do you think?"

“I was informed before departing 852 that there had been a personnel change. That’s fine, I’ll be best damn Chief of Surgery the Federation has ever seen, Sir.” Marius nodded.

"I know you will, I have full confidence in you doctor." The captain shifted in his seat before continuing. "As you are heading up the new department, I am also going to be promoting you to full Lieutenant."

Hearing the captain inform her about the promotion caught Amanda by surprise. After having been away for such a long time, a promotion wasn’t what she was expecting. It was a welcome one, just unexpected. “Thank you Sir.”

"Of course, Lieutenant. Congratulations," he said as he flashed her a small smile. "I suggest you meet with Doctor Stokes at your earliest convenience to get the lay of the land, and of course join our senior staff briefing in the next hour."

“I will. With your permission, Sir?”

“Dismissed”

Off:

Captain Marius G. Pontmercy
Commanding Officer
Starbase Obsidian

Lieutenant Amanda Hemsley
Chief of Surgery
Starbase Obsidian

 

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