Problem Solved

Posted on Sun May 18th, 2025 @ 8:55pm by Lieutenant Commander Deanna Celes & Commander Jonathan Grayson

1,010 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Cead Mile Failte
Location: USS Washington

Upon returning to the ship Deanna made her way to the bridge, wanting to get the latest information regarding the stellar core fragment. Exiting the turbolift, she made her way down and stopped to speak with Jon, "Commander. Hope all was smooth sailing up here while we visited the planet. We ran into an old friend, and as such I am now eager to see what is happening with this core fragment."

"Hi Deanna, welcome back" Jon replied. The core fragment as you can see is getting closer to the planet with each passing second, but the planet remains unaffected. As for us we had a trio of visitors. Aine, Arianrhod and then Dagda all paid us a visit. Aine was friendly and curious, Dagda invited those who wanted to visit the planet to do so. Arianrhod is moody, not prone to small talk. She isn't downright hostile, but I don't think she wants to bother with us, and she is quick to take affront if she feels attacked."

"Three of them? And here I thought we were special having one show up, along with a few fairies that took offense to something Sam did" Deanna responded. "Dagda actually showed up here? You all were lucky. Not every day you meet the head honcho."

"Indeed. All three of them. I was impressed with Dagda and Aine. Arianrhod wasn't exactly rude, she just doesn't come across as warm and cuddly. However," His voice dropped, "I'm worried about Imik. She wasn't impressed with them, and you know her, she speaks her mind."

"A lot like Inara. Doesn't play well with others. Easily offended. Inara is usually like that" Deanna replied. "She wasn't thrilled when Danu showed up down on the planet, even less so when she was told she needed to remain on the planet for a bit. I trust you have things in order here. I'm sure the captain will be up and give you the details."

"Commander! Apologies, but we have new readings on the core fragment. Something is happening" Ibarra exclaimed.

Deanna quickly moved to the Ops station and looked at the sensor read outs. Ibarra was correct, something was happening. "Jon, take a look at this. It is shrinking."

"Now Deanna, that isn't fair about Imik. She's a good officer, she loyal and trustworthy. She's a lot like Sachzny. I think some of her difficulties is she is still adjusting to be around us and bottom line is she's my friend just as you are and I will always stand beside and support her just as I would you, Sam or the captain." Jon replied and then went to stand beside Deanna and look at the sensor data. "No doubt about it, the fragment is shrinking."

"I wasn't criticizing her, just giving an observation. I like Imik, just as I like Inara. They both just have difficulty being around people that are different from them. And I wouldn't say she is just like Sachzny. Sachzny was certainly more personable and had a desire to be around everyone. Time will tell if Imik can acclimate the way Sachzny did" Deanna replied. She continued to check the sensors, "It isn't possible, but the core fragment has actually reduced in size by 25% and continues to shrink. At the rate it is shrinking, it will be the size of a pebble in about 10 minutes. But look at its molecular density. It is remaining constant. I wish I had Inara up here at the moment. This is something she would marvel at, and she might even be able to gain some insight. The only explanation I can offer at the moment would be the Tuatha. You said one of the Tuatha that was here was Arianrhod. I believe in Celtic mythology she was the goddess of the moon and astrology, so perhaps she is responsible."

"I know you weren't, and I don't take it as such. Imik isn't Sachzny to be sure, but she is closer than you are aware." Jon answered as he looked at the data. "That is amazing! Arianrhod said she had business to take care and looking at this data, we can make a reasonable guess to just what that business is."

"I'm going to continue monitoring this. I would love to understand how they are managing all these different things they are doing. Shrinking the core fragment, keeping it from having any effect on anything in this system, plus all the other things they do" Deanna replied. "And Jon, I know she isn't Sachzny. I was fairly close with Sachzny, and she was much closer to the captain than Imik. I think Imik is hesitant to get close to people here, though I can't tell you why."

"Sachzny and I were and still are extremely close. I think Imik doesn't get close because of the hurt Sachzny went through when she left the ship to return to the Onjas. She doesn't want to get hurt. She sees and is well aware of what Sachzny went through and still does deal with even now."

"You would know better than I, but as I recall, Sachzny let of her own volition. She was a well-liked member of the crew. The captain even vouched for her, when above and beyond for her. If Imik is fearful of some sort of emotional pain Sachzny felt, I think she is only doing herself a disservice" Deanna replied. "But you are the XO, and the function of the crew is your concern, and Callie's."

"I know what the captain did Deanna and I know that she officially left to go back to the Onjas Republic. You are right I am the XO, and the crew is my duty and I don't want the same to happen to Imik. For I do agree that she is doing herself a disservice."

Deanna nodded in agreement. "With luck it will all work out." She continued to check the sensors and watch the core fragment. "I just can't get over what is happening with this stellar core fragment."

 

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