Times Change

Posted on Tue Dec 12th, 2023 @ 9:49am by Captain Shran dh'Klar & Lieutenant Commander Shoniara T’ghann-Travis Dr
Edited on on Tue Jan 2nd, 2024 @ 3:31pm

Mission: Hard Earned Peace
Location: Travis Quarters. USS Washington.

For once the usually noisy Travis quarters were quiet, low lights lit the inside leading to a small room where Shon sat crossed legged. The only sound was her breathing slow and strong along with the low fumble of the huge Sehlat laying by her side. Shon’s hand moved slowly back and forwards beneath the huge ruff of the Vulcan cat. The smell of burning herbs surrounding the candle before her suffused the room in a thick miasma of mist. Shon had been like this for four hours now trying to center herself after meeting Hela. She had spent the rest of her sickbay shift trying to figure out the numerous endings that the appearance of the ‘god’ could mean and eventually her head seemed like it would explode. Instead of a simple analgesic she had decided to meditate.

Shon knew she would have to pay for her daughter’s return at some stage but had not thought it would be so soon and this Hela was somehow harder, darker. She opened her eyes suddenly and Puss grumbled his eyes looking around the room. Shon stood. “Hela, I know you are here, show yourself!” She exclaimed.

"If you insist" Hela's voice echoed. The mist began to coalesce until it finally created Hela's form and then she emerged. "You look troubled. Perhaps you thought this day would never come. That I would not come to claim what I was due." She looked at the Sehlat that seemed poised to strike at her. "A magnificent beast. Truly impressive. It reminds me of my brother Fenrir. He is often lurking nearby me. I find him handy in warding off Odin personally. You know he would very much like to thank the person responsible for our father's demise. I told him I would arrange it, but I had business to attend to first." She offered a vile smile as she looked at Shon. "So, shall we discuss business, or are you still mourning that decision you made those many months ago?"

Puss growled and bared his fangs as Hela spoke. Shon pushed him behind her and returned Hela’s smile. “I will NEVER regret that decision I made, all that remains is for me to pay your price. You will not harm any of my family or anyone on board this ship. Your bargain was with me Hela, so what do you want?”

Hela offered a disturbing laugh. "You've had nearly 9 months with your lost child. You seem to have enjoyed that time. I've returned for my payment for your requested joy. I'll be claiming that payment soon, in about 36 hours actually" she said, staring intently at Shon, or more precisely, a part of her.

Shon’s hands protectively held her now showing bump. “No Hela anything but that, how did you know?” She thought for a moment. "Surely we can come to some other equitable agreement?” she said in a slow steady voice.

"Oh, we already came to an agreement. Hence, I have come to claim my end. A life for a life was what you offered, and I agreed. You made the assumption that life would be your own. You should've asked for clarification then, but you were only concerned with the mortal failings, wanting something you had lost returned to you. I gave you your child back, you don't get to alter terms after the fact." Hela spoke bluntly, her voice laced with cruelty as she laid out what was now underway.

Shon stood tall noting she was taller than Hela used her most menacing voice. "Tell me then Hela what exactly do you want in reparation and if I refuse just what will you do?"

Hela narrowed her eyes, her expression one of annoyance. "You believe you acting like you are tough will suddenly deter me? I'm here for my payment, that is all you need know. You have no say regarding acceptance or refusal. When the time comes, I will take my payment, simple as that. If you attempt to cause me any issue regarding my payment, I will inflict upon you a penalty unlike any you can fathom."

“Hela, I offer a willing being, myself. Why don’t you take me after my babies are born? I will come with you, surely you would like someone with intelligence to do your bidding. If you refuse, I will kill myself. Then you will get nothing. Believe you me I am tougher than you think.”

Hela laughed. "You wish to kill yourself? By all means, increase my profit for this transaction" she said with a devilish grin.

Puss moved himself between Shon and Hela giving a blood curdling scream his long sabre like teeth extending. Shon immediately clicked her finger as she knew Hela might kill him just for the sport. Puss immediately lay down on his haunches still looking at Hela waiting for the moment he could tear her throat out.

"What exactly do you want from me? Do not be coy or disseminate."

"I have told you, a life for a life. It is you who is being dense and obtuse. And I will take what's owed me, I promise you. You will be powerless to stop me. But that doesn't mean I can't explore your vessel and see what other pleasures might be found here in the interim." Hela smiled as she produced a scythe and stretched it forward, setting the tip of the blade on Shon's pregnant belly. "Do keep my prize safe until I come to claim it." With that she faded away as she laughed maniacally.

Puss jumped towards the disappearing Hela his eyes shone like fire and his jaws dripped slather. He tore at the wall hoping that Hela was still there. Shon stood silently and snapped her fingers Puss calming slowly and eventually rubbing himself around Shon’s legs still quietly growling. A year ago, she would have acted like Puss so differently, screamed, ranted, try to grab Hela but now she found the more the babies grew the calmer she became. Drawing on the Vulcan side of her heritage she found a cold fury growing. She sighed deeply knowing that she needed to have a conversation, first with Seth and then with the captain.