The Tuatha, Pt. 2

Posted on Fri May 16th, 2025 @ 8:53pm by Captain Shran dh'Klar & Commander Samantha Howard & Lieutenant Inara Senn & Lieutenant JG James Phoenix & Lieutenant JG Benjamin "Ben" Dalton

2,012 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Cead Mile Failte
Location: Planet

The away team had made their way to the castle that was attached to the village they had originally arrived. Maeve had shown them several cultural interests, but they were no closer to understanding why the planet was apparently immune to the effects of the core fragment as it continued to barrel towards it. After making concessions, notably treating the site with respect, the away team had been granted the opportunity to view the ancient ruins to the north. They were making their way to the ruins, having been told they only had a few hours to look them over before they had to leave them. The people seemed intent to not be around when nightfall came.

Ben was beside himself. He couldn't wait to get to the ancient ruins and do a full detailed analysis of the ruins. It was a dream come true for him. He would have quite the story to tell Kate once he returned to the ship.

Deanna had her tricorder open and scanning as they walked Nothing was out of the ordinary, which was in itself out of the ordinary. No tidal pressures, no tectonic shifts, not so much as a stray electron floating about. She moved close to Inara to check in with her, "Tell me you have something. A radiation reading, a particle density shift, something. I haven't found anything that explains what is keeping things so normal around here despite the coming doom."

Inara sighed. "Put the tricorder away. I already know whose messing with physics, and they do not like me. Let's just say they believe in mysticism more than science."

"Please tell me you are joking. I mean, mysticism and science can go hand in hand, but I would much rather deal with hard science" Deanna replied.

"You'll find none of that here. I'm already sure I know who's going to be in this throne room. Captain, I would like to wait outside of the throne room."

Shran looked at Inara. "Nothing is certain Inara. Why would you not wish to enter these ruins?"

"Because I have too much to lose to them. Please, I put this part of my life behind me, and if I go in there, I may provoke them by my very presence, and I'll lose everything, again"

Sam looked a little confused but said nothing, still recalling Deanna's words from before about mystical creatures being real. They'd seen the fairies, a grain would be the using on the cake. Was that Irish mythology or Norse? Waking her brain, she realized she'd drifted behind the main team.

"Coming upon the ruins" Ayana noted.

"Full scans. Let's see what of interest we can learn" Shran ordered.

Ben was already scanning the ruins. His eyes showing surprise at what the data he was receiving. "Sir!" He called to Shran. "These ruins are thousands of years old! They are authentic!"

Phoenix looked up when Ben had called for Shran. He also picked up the age of the readings, but he wasn't looking for that. He was looking for anything that could be a threat to the team, and so far, there was nothing. "Tactical readings don't show anything yet Captain" James added.

"Thousands?" questioned Shran.

"I believe the lieutenant is underscoring the exact age of these ruins. Based on these ruins, they are older than any life on Earth, or virtually any life known in either the Alpha or Beta Quadrants. This planet may actually have been the home to one of the original progenitor races" Deanna stated as she looked at the readings on her own tricorder. "I am starting to believe Inara about this place. I don't think we belong here. I think we are going to find that the original inhabitants of this place are a known commodity. I should've put it together sooner. The name of the planet, the name the people refer to themselves as, this is where that race of Celtic deities originates."

Ben looked down at his feet. He knew the ruins were far older than what he stated but he didn't think anyone would believe him. Now he had been corrected by Commander Celes and looked the fool.

"Okay this is familiar. We come down here. I'm told to be diplomatic; we find something that tells us.... maybe coming here wasn't such a good idea. I say we should leave... and then something God awful happens. Let's kinda beam up and go talk to nice people." Inara noted. "See I do have good ideas, and everyone should listen to Lt. Senn more."

Deanna offered a chuckle. "While I understand the pessimism, let's try to be a bit more positive Inara. Nothing bad has happened really, and while we haven't determined the exact reasoning regarding why we are down here, we are learning some things of scientific interest."

Shran led the way into the ruins, the remnants of an ancient castle complex. "Mr Dalton, let's take a close look at these ruins for cultural purposes. Considering that we have Irish settlers here that seem linked to them, see if it has anything that links the two cultures."

"I can tell you from a strictly aesthetic view, it looks like ruins I saw back home growing up" Aidan mentioned.

"If these ruins do have to do with what Inara believes, then chances are we should be able to locate hidden chambers with some runic writings" Deanna added.

"You speak of the Ogham script, the language of the gods" Maeve stated.

Ayana looked at the group, "Language of the gods. Here we go with that stuff again."

"Believe me, they're real, and you don't want to meet them. Inara mentioned.

Sam mosied along at the rear of the group, fascinated by the ruins and what may or may not inhabit them. She kept half an ear on the conversation in case she missed something important.

"Yes sir." Ben replied dutifully as he began scanning the ruins to determine what secrets they would reveal.

Inara checked her tricorder again. "And so far, I am not detecting anything that should suggest how this planet, and surrounding area is not showing signs of imminent spaghettification. And I'm beginning to figure out who might be listening in to us, scratching our heads here. Morrigan... I know you're here, and I know you're watching. I've known since I saw the Ireland vibe this place has, and your kind is the only people I know of in the universe that can keep a planet from being smashed to pieces by a hunk of Neutronium. Let's talk, because keeping these people in such pandered ignorant bliss is just wrong."

A voice spoke as if on the wind, "They are not pandered nor in ignorant bliss. They choose to be as they are, living a simple pleasant life. That they are protected here is only because of our fondness to this particular world."

Suddenly a fair skinned redhead in a green dress appeared and Maeve prostrated herself. "Great Mother Danu, you honor us."

Shran recognized the Celtic goddess as one that had come to the Washington to protect them, especially Inara, from Hela. "Is this the world your race originated from?"

Danu looked to Shran, "As you understand such things, yes. You are welcome to be here, so long as your people bring no malice or cause harm. We protect this planet and those upon it, and that is not limited to mortals as you know them."

"Well, this was enlightening. Wonderful visit. Permission to return to the ship?" Inara mentioned.

"Denied. We aren't finished here" Shran replied to Inara.

"Inara should remain here for a time. She needs to work things out. Her mind continues to be in turmoil despite the loss of the painful past and the return of her anchor" Danu stated. "With what is coming in the future for you all, especially for her, it is important that she deal with this turmoil now."

Phoenix snapped his attention to Danu. "What do you mean? Are you talking about the core fragment?"

"I don't think she does" Deanna replied.

Ben was only half listening to the discussion; he was busy studying the ruins and the data appearing on his tricorder. "Sir! These ruins are millions of years old. I've checked the data twice. They are almost as old as time itself."

"Listen Danu. You don't always like me. I've been tortured by Hela, and I don't understand your kin. I have someone irreplaceable back in my life, and for that, I am grateful beyond words. I just want to be left alone to live my very mortal life away from any god." Inara stated. "And do you have any idea how painful it was to be tortured by an entity like you? It's not something I want for my ship and crew." She sighed. "And I've been trying to tell these fools not to throw caution into the wind every time they detect an anomaly, and you don't get a second chance in life!! Not mortals. So that makes our existence even more precious to us. No offense, but I am skeptical beyond words for your kind."

"You are in turmoil Inara. You are of two minds, one rational that views things logically and enjoys life, and a cynical mind that seeks out the negative in all things, determined to make all others suffer as you do" Danu replied. "You allow yourself to generalize, you place everyone neatly into a single box. I know of the pain that you feel, and while I cannot experience it as you have, you grouping everyone that happens to be of a certain type is unhealthy for you as a mortal. My people are not prone to harming mortals, other races like ours as you know do not share that aspect. But your life will continue to be lackluster until you learn to accept the unexpected and not judge all things in a blanket fashion. You all have a precious gift that lasts a short time, you need to learn how to cherish it. Your comrades do as humans and other races naturally do, they allow themselves to explore the unknown, understanding danger exists but willing to deal with it for the benefit of countless billions. It is an admirable quality that many species have, notably humans."

"Inara, you are a valued member of my crew, even when you are as the humans say, a giant pain in the ass. I would rather see you spend a little time here coming to terms with things than have you unprepared for what sounds like will be some tough things down the road" Shran stated with empathy.

Sam had been taking tricorder readings and quietly observing. She had observed Hela firsthand previously and had not wanted to do so again. "You speak of the future; you have seen it?" She asked cautiously.

Danu looked to Sam, "The future is fluid, like a mighty river with many branches. as different branches are dammed, others become more prominent. Inara's future, and that of many of you is set. Fate or destiny, whatever you wish to call it, has been set in motion, but that doesn't mean all things seen will come to pass. The future is mutable; it changes constantly with every decision each mortal makes. Some things cannot change in the future, things that create decision points, but how you react to those moments echoes into eternity, like so many ripples upon a pond."

"Captain, I'll volunteer to remain here, keep an eye on our people" Ayana volunteered.

Shran nodded. "I thank you Danu for your graciousness. My people will take care and be respectful of this planet should any choose to come here." Shran looked to the away team, "Anyone who wishes to remain on the planet will be granted a short shore leave. Inara, I'll have Jas beam down, perhaps that will allow you the needed inspiration down here to work through whatever Danu seems to think you need to deal with."

"Fine..." Inara mentioned.

 

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