A Fragile Return
Posted on Sat Jan 18th, 2025 @ 12:54pm by Commander Hiro Sommers-Yoshida
600 words; about a 3 minute read
Mission:
Episode 8: Palingenesis
Location: Starbase 21 (Styx Station)
ON:
The USS Copernicus emerged from the depths of the Briar Patch, its battered hull glinting faintly in the light of glowing filaments of the volatile nebula. Starbase 21 loomed ahead, a stark contrast to the small, limping Nova-class vessel. The station’s Cardassian architecture, angular and imposing, was a welcome sight to the weary crew.
On the bridge, Hiro sat in the Captain’s chair, his gaze fixed on the station. The Copernicus was limping home, her port nacelle dark, shields offline, and scorch marks streaked across her hull from the brutal encounter with Euryale. The ship was alive, but barely, and Hiro knew that reflected the state of his crew as well.
“Starbase 21, this is the Copernicus,” Hiro said, his voice calm but tinged with exhaustion. “Requesting immediate docking clearance and medical support.”
Home. The word felt heavier than Hiro had expected. As the Copernicus drifted closer to the station under impulse power, Hiro exchanged a glance with his bridge officers. They had made it, but not without cost.
The Nova-class ship glided slowly toward Starbase 21. From the bridge, Hiro watched the approach in silence, the weight of the mission still pressing on his shoulders. He knew the station’s crew was already mobilizing, engineers and medical teams preparing to greet the survivors of the Copernicus and assess the damage.
“Lieutenant Abrasax,” Hiro said quietly, breaking the silence. “transmit our mission logs and sensor data to the station. Starfleet Command will want to review everything, especially regarding Euryale.”
Hiro glanced toward Alena, who sat to the left of him, unusually quiet and her expression thoughtful and distant. Whatever had happened on the planet and during their encounter with Euryale, Hiro suspected it had left her with questions she wasn’t able to answer and not yet ready to share.
As the ship docked with a faint shudder, Hiro stood, straightening his uniform despite the exhaustion tugging at him. “Bridge to Sickbay,” he said, tapping his commbadge. “Doctor… Lyras, we’ve arrived. Medical teams from the station are on standby. Let them know what you need.”
Hiro turned back to the bridge crew. “All stations, prepare for transfer back to the Station. Engineering teams will assist with repairs, and I want a full damage report submitted in two hours. Everyone is to report for a medical checkup before continuing their duties.”
As the crew acknowledged his orders, Hiro stepped forward to the viewscreen, watching at some undefined point in space as the docking procedure was completed. The station’s atmosphere of calm and control was a stark contrast to the chaos they had just escaped. It felt surreal, as though the events of the Briar Patch had happened in another lifetime.
As the crew filed out of the bridge, Hiro lingered, staring at the now-quiet consoles and dimmed lights. The Copernicus had survived, but she was battered, scarred. Much like her crew.
A chime from the comm interrupted his thoughts. “Starbase 21 to Copernicus. Docking procedure is complete.” came the voice of the station’s Operations Officer. “Welcome back.”
“Thank you,” Hiro replied, his voice low. He straightened his shoulders and turned toward the door. The crew had made it back, but the real work was just beginning—repairing the ship, helping people heal, and uncovering the deeper truths that Euryale and the Briar Patch had revealed.
As he stepped off the bridge and into the corridor, Hiro couldn’t help but glance out a viewport at the stars beyond. Their journey wasn’t over. In many ways, it was only just beginning.
Lieutenant Commander Hiro Sommers-Yoshida
Acting CO Starbase 21
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