Reaching Out and Catching UP

Posted on Thu Oct 2nd, 2025 @ 12:00pm by Commander Jonathan Grayson & Lieutenant Imik S'Niohun

1,848 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Wild Wild West
Location: XO's Ready Room
Timeline: Current

With the Mirror Shran in the brig and Onjas ship still in the area, Jon decided to reach out to Sachzny using the link they shared. He had been practicing with the link and his control was vastly improved. He opened his mind to her as he called out telepathically. *CX2 to Control tower, come in control tower* He desperately hoped he reached her and that she didn't wonder who was contacting her. Now he waited, hopeful for a reply.

Imik could hear someone calling, she listened and worked out that Jon was attempting to contact Sachzny by the link. But Sachzny wasn't close enough for Jon to reach her, not yet. The truth to tell was Sachzny's ship had also heard the call put out by the Washington, and she had turned and headed for her friends post haste. But being over 72 hours away she knew she'd not make it in time, so she had contacted a smaller vessel which was closer but was running silent by sending out false readings.

This was standard procedure for Ojnas ships and they practiced this constantly so as to get it right. The Sinkahue of 22319 had also kept Sachzny up to date on what had happened, the outcome was expected and achieved with the new unit performing well. With the emergency over she had slowed her own vessel and in fact was heading for 22319 not that far from the Washington, Imik now had a choice to make. Would she contact Sachzny and let her decide or simply allow Jon's attempt to go unanswered?

*Sinkahue Sachzny, it is I Imik requesting a moment of your time. Jon is attempting to use the link to contact you, but his present level of experience is below that of what is needed. I leave it in your hands if you wish to contact him or simply allow him to fail in this attempt.*

*Imik daughter of my sister, thank you for informing me of Jon's attempt. He always did over reach himself when using the link, I shall think on this as I have much to do, plus we have casualties on 22319 which must be addressed first. Please inform Jon of this but tell him no more than that.*

A smile graced Imik's face, she knew Sachzny would contact Jon once she had the time. But for now she had a message to deliver, *Jon, this is Imik. I heard your call but you are not able to cross the distance between yourself and Sachzny as yet, but I contacted her on your behalf and her response was she will think upon responding. But she has a grim task ahead of her, she is with 22319 and dealing with their casualties.*

Jon *heard* Imik's voice in his head as she delivered Sachzny's message to him. he was bitterly disappointed that he couldn't contact Sachzny but undeterred in his efforts as he would keep trying to improve himself and one day he would be able to contact Sachzny. To Imik he simply replied *Understood Imik and thank you.* As he now had no choice but to wait for Sachzny to contact him.

On 22319 the burial detail had lined up the nine dead Marines, with full military honours and each with a fresh new medal for combat against the mirror aliens resting on the pillow by their heads. It would remain there and not be pinned on their uniform, this was to show those in the afterlife that these warriors had died in combat and this was their last duty performed for the Ojnas Republic and its people.

After those who wished to pay their respects had passed the coffins, the tops were lowered and the flag of each house who had lost a Marine placed on top. Sachzny stood silent as the ritual played out before her, then slowly she stepped forward. "Here before us lay nine hero's of the Republic, they did not ask to leave us nor did we want them to leave us. But in battle they fell and so departed for home and family in the great garden, we who remain will honour and remember them and hold their sacrifice sacred unto our own passing."

Then each coffin was launched into the great void of space, as each Marine left the ship a loud cheer went up from the assembled crowd. Once the last Marine had left Sachzny pointed out to some distant place, "Out there these hero's will continue their duty, they will watch over us and continue to protect us. May the blessings of all here grace their names for now and ever more." Her hand slowly dropped along with her head and the heads of all the assembled Ojnas, a lone voice now sang a lament with everyone singing the chorus. Finally the ritual ended and the crew of 22319 returned to their duties once more.

Sachzny now turned and walked into the portal which had appeared behind her, no words were exchanged between the Sinkahue's nor any sign of military display. Tradition stated that this day was the day of the departed, and no living Ojnas could impinge upon it by expecting military honours from any other Ojnas. Once back on her own vessel she walk slowly to her cabin, once there she removed her dress uniform and clothed herself in the duty uniform of her rank and station for normal routine onboard.

Now she sat and thought about Jon, why had he attempted to contact her? Did he sense her closeness somehow? Clearing her mind she now called for Jon, *Jon my dearest, I am sorry it has taken so long to respond. But I had a duty to perform, and tradition must be upheld. What do you wish to talk about?* She felt his presence, and his despondency at being unable to fully reach her with the link. On this matter she would enlighten him, and point him in the direction he had to travel.

Aboard the Washington, Jon was elated to feel Sachzny. Her voice soft and melodic inside his head. *Greetings upon your house my dearest Sachzny. I understand duty comes first, no apology is necessary and tradition must be maintained.* He paused for a moment before continuing, "I just wanted to talk with you and I wanted you to see how far I've come with my use of the link but it seems I still have a ways to go.* He admitted.

In her cabin Sachzny took a deep breath and then answered, * Greetings upon your house and vessel my love. Your use of the link has spent many years being inert, as such it has become no more than a memory and its use forgotten.* She smiled as she continued, *Imik is attempting to stimulate what remains of that memory and activate any residual ability in the use of the link.* Her tone now softened, *I am glad you wished to show me what progress you have made by simply talking to me, but my love beware and be careful as attempting to much to soon will set you back and hinder what ability you have. I need my love to be all that he can be, and all he will be.*

His mental voice carried his delight at speaking with her. *Sachzny, my precious Sachzny, I will be careful I promise but don't you understand? I care for you a great deal and I miss you not being in my life. However, that is being selfish as you are a captain now and your ship and crew come first. So I cherish a moment like this when we can 'talk'.

*I to miss you my love, but you have a life partner and younglings to which you must direct your emotions towards.* Sachzny wished things had turned out differently but they hadn't, *I have my duty to perform and you have your own to follow, and as you are aware in Ojnas society family is the main priority. That means I can not and will not come between you and that family, despite my feelings.* She knew this sounded harsh, but after her last encounter with Jon she also knew that things could never return to how they had once been.

*Gosh darn it Sachzny, I want you in my life, my children need to meet and know their Aunt Sachzny and that means you have to be a part of it and for the twenty eight time you aren't coming between me and my family. You make so much of family yet you hesitate to be part of mine, now stop it." He admonished her lightly.

She sat and thought for a while, then replied. *I will make a pact with you, if your life partner agrees to our reunion then I will become part of your family. But she must make that choice freely and willingly, and she herself must tell me. Do you agree with this?* Sachzny allowed a smile to cross her lips, she knew Jon and his will to have his way. But could he convince his life partner to except another female?

*You have yourself a deal.* Jon replied then added, *How do you propose Callie tell you? She doesn't share a link with you? How can she contact you?" All while he was thinking of how he was going to ask Callie about Sachzny joining their family.

Sachzny now giggled to herself as she replied, *Imik will be her way of telling me, she will inform Imik of her decision and the daughter of my sister will then rely it to me. My dear Jon have you forgotten we Ojnas always have an answer.* She giggled again after she finished, and hoped Jon would get the joke.

Jon's smile could be felt in his voice, *I only forgot for a moment but I knew you would have an answer, you always do. Fair enough with Imik being Callie's contact to you. It will more than likely be a few days before you hear from Imik with Callie's answer but I will say it now, welcome to the family Aunt Sachzny.*

*I would not be so quick as to welcome me just yet, I to must inform my family of this request. My sister and mother may yet deny my joining, fearing it would remove me from my natural family.* Sachzny sat in her cabin and thought long about Jon's invite, just how would it play out.

*I'm not taking you away from your family Sachzny, just adding you to another to call yours. Inform your sister and mother of that. Surely there can be no harm in that.* John replied through the link.

Sachzny smiled at Jon's response, *We are talking mother and sister, even Humans know how unresponsive they can be. But I will explain once again, and will inform you of their response.*

*I know how my sister and mother can be so I don't envy you talking to them but if anyone can make them understand it is you my dear Sachzny*

 

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