Thank You

Unofficial Literary Challenge 26 - "The Anniversary"

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The hum of the ship’s life support system was barely audible, as the main engines were shut down.  The room’s only light source was the bright service lamps encircling the ship as it floated within the docking cradle.  Stark shadows cloaked many features of the room, yet the sole occupant was bathed in bright light as she sat near the window.  Looking at the red surface of Mars, the Captain of the ship was silent, occasionally and absentmindedly tapping the PADD held in one hand.  The other hand rubbed rank pips on her collar.  Kathryn Beringer held a smirk on her lips as she recalled the meeting she left over an hour ago.

Without notice, another female voice asked, “That was an adventure of words, I must say.”

Kathryn was expecting the visitor and was not surprised her reverie was broken so suddenly.  “You had something to do with it, didn’t you, Q?”  She swiveled her chair to face the interior of her office.

Wearing a Fleet Admiral uniform, Q stood with her weight on one leg as she faked inspecting her fingernail.  Her affect was playful and she curtsied.  “Maaaybe?  You should be thanking me for helping you keep this bucket of bolts.”  She spread her arms wide as she opened a toothy smile.

“Yes.  I suppose so.” 

Q walked to a chair in front of Kathryn’s desk and sat down.  “I’ll take that for a ‘thank you’.  And you’re welcome.”

“Actually I really am grateful for your intervention.”

Leaning forward, Q’s mirth exchanged for seriousness.  “I know how much you love this ship, I had to save it.  Why would you let them do that to you?”

Kathryn shrugged.  “Duty.”

Q scoffed.  “Let’s be honest with each other.  Omnipotence deserves that much, don’t you think?”

With a sigh, Kathryn resigned herself to the conversation.  “You heard the Admirals, although Solaris has modern technology, he just looks … old.  Moving to the new Resolute-class is what Captains like me are being asked to do.”

“’Asked is the new word for ‘ordered’, is it?”

“I think you have proved there are exceptions.”

Q’s smile returned.  “Is there another barrier to the truth or shall we continue talking around it?  This isn’t about duty, orders or,” she looked around the room, “aesthetics.”

Kathryn gently tossed the PADD onto her desk and then turned her chair to face a dark wall, one side of her face lit by the bright light outside, the other side obscured by shadow, trying to hide her emotions from Q.  “Like you said, I love this ship.  This ship.”

Standing, Q then stepped around the desk to be behind Kathryn, looking out another window.  Her hands clasped behind her back as she waited for Kathryn to continue.

“Four years ago, I was ordered to abandon my first command, the Galatea.  I flew that ship for a year before she was crippled in a fire-fight against the Klingons.  Instead of repair, Starfleet decommissioned the ship and I was given command of Solaris.  I have really grown into my rank since then.  Borg, Vaudwaar, Iconians –“.  Kathryn paused to look at the PADD.  “I have lost a lot of good crew along the way, some of them because of my decisions.”  She looked back toward the window.  “I have learned a lot about what being a leader means; the guidance, the judgments, forgiveness and diplomacy.  I found ways to make peace with myself while settling my own vendettas.  All of that in this ship.”

Stifling a yawn, Q stretched her arms up and wide even though she didn’t need the relief.

Kathryn snorted.  “Four years ago today I took command of Solaris, and today you saved him from the scrapyard.”  She swiveled her chair to face Q.  “Thank you.”

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Cast for crew:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nicols
Q - June Diane Raphael

Why Not?

Literary Challenge 9 - Shore Leave

"I think the phrase is, 'when the cat's away the mice will play'".

Kathryn looked away from the console and closed her eyes, quietly wishing her solitude was not interrupted. She then turned to face the speaker, not hiding the annoyance on her face.

The female intruder smirked as she ran a finger against another console's edge then looked to her fingertip. "So why is the cat not away while the mice are playing?" Her smirk changed to a small frown as she rubbed away imaginary dust or dirt, then looked to Kathryn.

"Because, Q, they deserve a break."

"Tsk, tsk. Don't you deserve to play too?" Q sauntered closer to Kathryn.

"Maybe I am having fun. Ever consider that humans can enjoy their work?"

"Maybe fun is actually on the planet below?"

Kathryn crossed her arms. "Maybe you should get to the point this time?"

Q pouted. "Aw Kathy, I'm only trying to help! You look stressed. Although you do have a certain amount of grace under pressure that your species would call 'sexy', I stand by my original intent."

Kathryn sighed. "I appreciate that Q, actually." She looked away remembering the recent days. "Ever since we found the Misericorde, the crew has been on edge. Taking a break from the Sphere was needed."

"I warned you not to go there, you know." Q walked over and rested against the console next to Kathryn.

"It was my duty."

"Pfft. Duty shmooty. You humans really don't like taking advice from omnipotent beings. Well, you really should listen to me this time, Kathy. Take a break." She raised her hand and waved as if painting on a canvas. "Can't you imagine it? The clear blue water like a mirror reflecting the azure sky. Verdant trees swaying with a gentle breeze that briefly bushes your hair and tickles your ear. Twin moons lighting your path to the secluded candlelit dinner waiting for you?"

Kathryn could indeed 'see' the imagery described to her and she caught herself nodding slightly then stopped herself. "Risa does have all that I suppose."

Q grinned. "I know." She snapped her finger.

---

Blinking to clear her eyes, Kathryn could tell without looking her uniform was replaced with a summer dress. The white silk-like garment shimmered from the moonlight. She turned toward a window and could see her hair style changed from the regulation bun to a low ponytail style that flowed over a spaghetti-strapped shoulder. Long-stringed earrings danced above the collar bone and her lips were painted with bright red lipstick.

Kathryn rolled her eyes and looked around. At the end of the walkway was a table with two lit candles and half-filled wineglasses. As she walked toward the table her high-heeled shoes clicked and echoed into the night air. For a second, Kathryn let go of the rigors and structure of Starfleet and felt like-

"A woman, like a perfect dream."

Kathryn spun toward the sound of the voice. "Daikar?"

The tall Deltan entered the moonlight from a shadowed pillar. His broad shoulders filled the formal suit but did not seem tight against his frame. His bald head glistened with the slight humidity. He smiled and slowly walked toward Kathryn.

Kathryn's eyes widened and she realized her jaw had dropped. "Did Q bring you here too?"

Daikar stopped a few paces away and stared into Kathryn's eyes. She smiled briefly and started feeling nervous. When she realized she was more concerned than attracted to him is when he stepped forward, wrapped his arms around his waist and kissed her.

At first Kathryn relaxed into Daikar's embrace as she reveled in the moment. Her left ear twitched enough to divert her attention from his tongue-swirling kiss. Kathryn realized Daikar's kissing was becoming painful to her lips and she pushed away. Daikar resisted until Kathryn stepped back with one foot and shoved him away.

Daikar looked surprised. "I thought you wanted this?"

Kathryn was stunned. "I - what?"

"Come now Kathy, I can tell you are attracted to me." He smirked and licked his top lip, "I felt it."

Taking a step back, Kathryn became angry. "This is not like you at all." She wiped her lips, red lipstick smeared across the back of her hand.

Daikar sighed and his shoulders slumped. "Well, I tried." He lifted a hand and snapped his fingers.

---

Blinking to clear her eyes, Kathryn could tell without looking her uniform was replaced with a summer dress. The white silk-like garment shimmered from the moonlight. She turned toward a window and could see her hair style changed from the regulation bun to a low ponytail style that flowed over a spaghetti-strapped shoulder. Long-stringed earrings danced above the collar bone and her lips were painted with bright red lipstick. She looked the same before her encounter with Daikar.

Kathryn looked around, frustrated and angry. "Q!"

A female appeared from around a shadowed pillar. Dressed exactly like Kathryn, Q walked confidently toward Kathryn with a smug look on her face. "I tried to help you relax and yet, you resisted." She stopped a few paces away, crossed her arms and twisted her lips to a wry smile. "But not at first."

"That's not funny. What made you think that's what will help me relax? If anything, I'm more stressed now than when I was working!"  Kathryn realized Q can be anyone she wants to be, and her eyes widened. "Was that you?!"

"Sadly, no. He was literally a figment of your imagination."

"What?!"

Q raised her hands. "Stay calm, nothing a quick review of Starfleet records couldn't help with. Very interesting stuff in those antiquated computers you use. I think Section 31 are the good guys, if I do say so myself."

Kathryn started getting a headache. "Stay with me Q."

"Look. You are overworked. The burden of responsibility weighs you down and even the Continuum sees it. Give yourself a break! Look around you. We are on Risa! Although a barren wasteland compared to ... never mind. This is where humans like to go to relax. I know you really want to come here, but your 'duty' compels you not to. I'm here to try to convince you otherwise."

"Why?"

Q spread her hands out wide, then snapped both fingers. In a flash she was gone and Kathryn could hear her from everywhere. "Why not?

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Cast:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Q - June Diane Raphael
Daikar - Billy Zane

Hello Again, Q

Literary Challenge 52
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The doors to the bridge swished open and Kathryn expected to see the order and quiet of her bridge crew dutifully focused on various tasks. Instead, everyone was standing straight and only Staza Murai held a weapon in her hand, pointed toward the Captain's chair. Looking at her chair, she noticed another Starfleet officer sitting relaxed and looking toward the main viewscreen. Kathryn didn't recognize the person sitting as a member of her crew and she stopped next to the command seat.

"Hello, again, Q ..."

The human-looking female smiled then looked up at Kathryn. "'O Captain, my Captain' ... so the Earth poem goes. I think. I read it before I came aboard but fell asleep after the first line."

Kathryn crossed her arms. "You should make time to read it all. It's a sad tale for a great man of Earth history."

Q shrugged. "Indeed. Yet, I do think your trip is done."

"Is that right."

"That's right. Before we get to business, kindly tell your Orion slave girl to drop her weapon. It's rude to point it without using it."

Staza's eyes flared anger and Kathryn nodded toward her. Staza looked to First Officer Anthi Ythysi who nodded as well, then lowered her disruptor pistol.

Q looked to Staza, and without losing the smile, said, "not that it would have worked on me anyway."

Kathryn snapped her fingers. "Q, let's focus on why you are here."

Turning to Kathryn, Q stood and brushed at her uniform. "Ah, yes. Shall we retire to your quarters?'

"How about my ready-room." Turning toward the office door, she spoke over her shoulder. "Anthi, you have the con."

Q followed Kathryn into the room and waited for Kathryn to sit in her chair.

"Forgive me, Q. Welcome aboard."

Q's eyebrows raised. "Thank you, Captain."

"You're welcome. Now get to it."

"Ah, ever the conversationalist. In short, do not go to Solanae."

It was Kathryn's turn to be surprised. "Pardon me?"

"You know, the ... what do you humans call it ... ah, yes. The Dyson Sphere."

Kathryn could not contain her surprise and laughed out loud once. "The great Q comes to my ship to warn me? I didn't think you cared. I'm touched."

Q's eyes narrowed. "Don't be so smug. I'm doing you a favor."

Kathryn stood and smirked. "Remind me about that again?"

"I'm telling you, Captain, the Voth are more advanced than your tribes are collectively. The Borg are animals compared to the Voth, which makes every species in the galaxy like amoeba in comparison. You, personally, will experience great hardship and suffering if you travel to Solanae." Q's demeanor darkened as she spoke.

"Hyperbole suits you well, Q." Kathryn walked to the replicator and keyed a command. A clear glass with a dark brown liquid materialized and she took a sip from it, licking her lips to savor the taste. "Of all the ships in the Federation, why are you here, on this one ship to warm me personally?"

Q sat into a chair in front of Kathryn's desk. "Have you ever asked why you are where are now? And I mean beyond adventure, duty, honor, revenge or ambition. I'm talking about your raison d'etre?"

Kathryn took another sip. "You mean, you don't know either?"

"I'm not joking, Captain. This, Dyson Sphere, will challenge you ... will change you." Q shook her head. "You may not like what you will become."

"Maybe that's my choice to make."

"Maybe choices can be influenced to not be made."

"Maybe, as an officer in Starfleet, I don't have that luxury. If I am ordered to go to the Sphere, then that is my duty."

Q scoffed, "oh, please. All sentient being have the power of choice, it's understanding the consequences that drives those choices."

"Exactly! Thank you for pointing out the obvious. You still have not answered my question."

Q paused. "Oh, yes. Why you?" Kathryn nodded, then sipped again. "Because the Continuum hoped this Sphere would never be found. Now that it has, it is bringing the species of the galaxy to it like moths to a flame ... and it is a very bright flame indeed. Of all the species the Continuum has faced, humans continue to intrigue us." Q stood and stepped toward Kathryn then spoke in hushed tones. "But this Sphere will damage the human race in ways you cannot imagine. Not even the Borg try to assimilate them. They have tried and failed."

She stopped within inches of Kathryn. "I do not want you to go there." Q leaned in and kissed Kathryn on the lips, then disappeared in a flash before she could react.

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Cast:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Q - June Diane Raphael
Anthi Ythysi - Katheryn Winnick
Staza Murai - Sarah Lind