Days Gone By - Part Three

Posted on Wed Nov 27th, 2024 @ 2:30pm by Captain Nycolas Temple

[Lucis - 2384]

ON:

The air was thick with humidity as Nycolas Temple made his way quickly through the jungle. The Lieutenant was running at a firm pace across a makeshift dirt path that weaved itself through the thick vegetation of Lucis V, swatting away ginormous palm ferns and jumping over fallen branches as he did. His face was dripping with sweat, his training clothes dampened through. But he didn't relent, he didn't slow down.

Finally, he broke through the trees and back into civilization, coming out into a clearing on the outskirts of the Federation Colony he now called home. His path was now made of concrete and his running shoes slapped hard across the pavement with every step. He dodged past civilians who were just starting their day, crossing the many streets as he made his way back to the colony's Starfleet Compound.

The gates to the compound opened as he approached, and Nycolas' run came to a halt as soon as he was inside the grounds. He stopped the watch on his left hand as he leaned over, trying to catch his breath.

"What was the time?" Came Commodore Thurston's voice. The older officer appeared from inside the building, looking relaxed but noticeably distracted with a cup of coffee in one hand and PADD in the other, the latter of which was taking all of his attention.

"Twenty... eight... fifty... one... " Nycolas panted into his knees.

"Good," Thurston nodded as he sipped his coffee, still looking at the PADD, "Back under thirty minutes."

"Yes... sir... " Nycolas gulped.

"Go get yourself ready for duty," Thurston said, a sharpness edging into his tone, "Meeting in fifteen."

Once Nycolas was showered, hydrated, and back in uniform, he entered the Chief of Security Office to find Commodore Thurston standing inside waiting. Nycolas snapped to attention as he approached.

"You've passed your physical requirements." Thurston spoke, reading the details off the PADD. "And psych eval, too."

"Yes, sir." Nycolas said firmly. "I have been approved to return to active duty, sir. I'm ready."

"Good. I'd expect nothing less from you, Lieutenant." The Commodore gave a small smile, however brief it was, "And your new relationship? You've reported it as a positive development."

Emilie and Nycolas had remained very close while he recovered. Now that he was no longer disappearing for weeks at a time for secret missions, he was able to spend quality time with Emilie. The disaster had drawn them together as well, both admitting their feelings were running deeper than they had previously admitted. For Nycolas, he had wanted to pull through to see Emilie again. Once a loner, a constant solo operator both socially and on duty, the Lieutenant finally had someone to come home to. Years had been spent running from mission to mission and place to place, but now that he was posted to Lucis V, he was starting to feel connected to somewhere and, especially to Emilie.

Their relationship had flourished as a result and he had no longer wished to hide it from Thurston, his mentor and confidante. In front of the Commodore, however, he wasn't about to speak too emotionally about this.

"Still new," Nycolas nodded, his tone matter of fact, "I am still unsure of the long-term status but at this stage it remains a beneficial addition to my mental health."

The Lieutenant's dry tone and choice of words drew a small chuckle from the Commodore, "I see. Of course it had to be with the Governor's daughter, no less, Temple. There wasn't anyone else on the planet you could have chosen for a beneficial addition to your mental health?"

"That was... an unforeseen obstacle," Nycolas admitted, "I - I mean, we - wanted to wait to see if it was purely recreational or if there was a substantial on-going relationship developing before informing her father." He frowned, "Is it an issue, sir?"

"I'm not against it, Lieutenant, but move cautiously." Thurston warned, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, sir." Nycolas nodded.

Commodore Thurston clapped his hands together, "Right, shall we debrief on Gaspar?"

"Yes, sir." Temple said formally, as he refocused his mind again.

Thurston activated the wall screen and accessed the mission debrief for the Gaspar attack, where the Cardassians had dropped multiple plasma grenades onto a civilian marketplace, causing significant casualties, injuries, and destruction in this busy sector of the city. Nycolas had been severely injured in the mission and had only just escaped the attack with his life. He had spent weeks recovering, requiring multiple treatments of dermal regeneration to repair extensive burns to his face and left side of his body.

"We have ascertained that the Cardassians, likely the Gammit brothers themselves, had discovered a civilian on Gaspar was divulging intelligence on the Cardassian's movements." Thurston began, his voice deeply somber. "The attack on the marketplace was meant to send a message of fear and retribution to Gaspar for working against them. Not unlike the Dominion's attack on Cardassia Prime during the war."

Nycolas slowly shook his head, "It was indiscriminate terrorism of civilians, sir, right in the heart of the marketplace."

"A horrendous act. Thirty-two lives were lost, either directly or in the aftermath." Thurston agreed, "Unfortunately, Gaspar's medical capabilities were inadequate to respond to such an event. Neighboring planets rendered assistance as soon as they could, but many lives were lost due to a lack of emergency response equipment and supplies. Countless more were left injured. The attack has shut down a major commerce and supply hub for Gaspar, resulting in food shortages to the rest of the city. A multi-planetary aid relief program was installed to assist. It will have to be an on-going operation."

"What have the Cardassians said?" Nycolas asked curiously, as images of their destruction scrolled past the screen.

"They have once again pinned this on the actions of rogues, denying any responsibility or involvement with the attack." Thurston replied, "They have claimed they were victims, too, as Cardassians also used Gaspar City for trade and supplies. Though incidentally, no Cardassians were present in the marketplace at the time of the attack."

Nycolas felt the rage climb within, but he had to hold it down. Rage would not fulfil his mission; it would only cloud his better judgement. With a restrained tone, he asked, "What about our contact?"

"Deceased. He was found three days later in the wreckage, though he had been killed elsewhere and left there." Thurston frowned, his own tone still somber.

"Did he know who we was passing intel to?" Nycolas asked, as a photo of the body appeared on screen. The civilian he was supposed to be meeting on Gaspar. "What could he have revealed before he was killed?"

"Nothing consequential." Thurston said, "We had used multiple layers for the assignment. The contact never knew they were passing intel to Starfleet. It is unlikely the Gammits will be able to break through the layers with any substantial proof."

Nycolas took that in and nodded again, thankful that they had taken precautions to ensure this wouldn't cause a wider conflict. The Cardassians would not be able to tie anyone to the intelligence gathering with any conviction. And, on the flip side, none of the other superpowers in the region would be able to claim casus belli from the attack, as only the Cardassians had a firm presence on Gaspar. The civilians were native to the planet and so-far unaffiliated, without a protector to raise arms for them. The cost of independence, many would say.

Nycolas shifted through the data to find his own report, "What about my mission notes? Any concerns for potential reprisal threats?"

"Your notes were detailed, as expected, though we understand the immediate post-attack period was disorientating for you." Thurston replied, "Your vessel was suitably marked as civilian, and you had initiated a civilian distress beacon upon leaving Gaspar. Many others did the same following the attack, so yours was one of many fleeing the area. We don't believe the Gammits will be able to isolate your evacuation as being noticeably different."

"I'm glad." Nycolas nodded, "I was worried about that, given the state I was in."

"You followed procedure, Lieutenant, even in dire circumstances." The Commodore looked over to Temple with strained eyes. He could see the relief on the young officer's face, all while knowing there was actual bad news to come. He took a breath and continued, "Starfleet Intelligence have validated your briefing and found it was appropriate." Thurston then paused, an undeniable frown forming on his lips. "However. Given the number of civilian casualties, they have seen fit to install a new commanding officer for the region and suspend Project Angel."

Nycolas' eyes widened, "What?" He cried, the unfairness of it hitting him hard. Thurston was his mentor and his commander. He had been best man at Thurston's wedding, it was the closest thing he'd ever had to a father figure in his life. "They can't!"

"These events have heightened the threat level to the region, and the security risk to Project Angel has passed into 'unfeasible' classification." Thurston was relaying the news with a heavy voice, unable to hide his own disappointment. He could feel Temple's hurt taking over and tried to restrain his voice. "Starfleet Intelligence believe Angel requires review in light of the event and placed Vice-Admiral Sykunno in charge of regional operations. I have been re-assigned to another project. We will cease operations immediately."

"But, sir!" Nycolas protested. "This is an important mission!"

"It is decided." Thurston said firmly. "There are three flowers in a - " Thurston began, only for Nycolas to continue.

"For the safety of the region!" Temple cried.

Thurston sighed, the Lieutenant's impassioned tone hitting heavier than he had anticipated, "There are three flowers in a vase -"

"But I don't know him!" Nycolas interrupted again. "You have been my commander since I joined S.I., it wasn't your fault - "

"Lieutenant, I did not grant you permission to speak freely." Thurston snapped angrily. As much as he wanted to agree, to be the reassuring friend instead of the authoritarian commander, he had been given no choice. "Conduct yourself accordingly. I understand this is a change of circumstances, but you must adapt."

Temple stiffened his back and returned his face to a neutral expression again, trying to hide the shame of being scolded. "Aye, sir." He said.

"Project Angel is suspended. You will assume your role as Lucis' Chief of Security full-time until further notice." Thurston commanded. "Is that understood?"

"Yes, sir." Temple responded sharply.

Thurston took a breath and started again. "There are three flowers in a vase."

Temple unclenched his jaw, "The third flower is red."

****

Later that night, Nycolas was sat upright in Emilie's bed as he stared out of her window into the night sky. He could see Lucis III and IV very brightly close by, such were the proximity of the two neighboring planets. At this time of the year, their orbits were at their closest to Lucis V, meaning they appeared visible to the naked eye at night. The blueish pink of Lucis III and the orange haze of Lucis IV were mesmerizing, especially when Nycolas was finding it hard to sleep.

Emilie opened her eyes and saw Nycolas staring outside, she lifted up her hand and stroked his arm, "Hey, Nyk." She whispered, "What are you doing?"

Nycolas looked down at her, his eyes were forlorn, but he put on a smile for her, "I'm fine, just thinking. Please, go back to sleep."

Emilie raised herself up and wrapped her arm around his back, leaning her head onto his broad shoulder. "Take your own advice, mister 'just thinking'." She said playfully.

Nycolas wrapped his own arm around her, pulling her closer to his body, "I will."

"You've been quiet all day." Emilie remarked gently. "Something Starfleet related; I assume."

Nycolas frowned a little, then gave a slight nod, "I wish I could tell you."

"I know," Emilie replied, as she caressed his back, "Protocols, privacy, I get it. But... Well, I ran into Sarah Thurston today at the cafe and she, too, had that same look on her face. She said that she didn't know much, but that she might be leaving Lucis soon with Cameron?"

Nycolas took that in, and he nodded again, "Yep. That's Starfleet for you, always moving you on. There are some ships or assignments that will allow you to bring a spouse, but it's not always possible." He kept his answer deliberately vague.

"Ah." Emilie understood nonetheless, "So if the Commodore has been transferred, he will have to leave, and she might go with him. Or... yeah, they would spend significant time apart?"

"That would the choice, in that scenario." Nycolas replied, still looking out the window.

Emilie stared for a moment too, understanding why Nycolas seemed upset. She knew the mentor/father-like figure that Thurston had been to Nycolas and why his apparent transfer away from Lucis would upset him. Then she gasped and looked up at him. "Are you facing that same possible scenario?" She realized in that moment Nycolas might be getting transferred with the Commodore and she felt the sudden panic rising.

"No," He replied quickly, looking down to Emilie tenderly and wanting to reassure her, "I would tell you that, Starfleet protocol or not."

Emilie relaxed and she smiled at him, "Good." Nycolas leaned down and they kissed gently. "I'm glad."

"Oh?" Nycolas smirked, raising his eyebrows, "Why's that?"

Emilie rolled her eyes, but she had a smile on her face still, "Not something I want to consider for us right now, that's all."

Nycolas nodded, "Me either."

"I love Lucis and don't want to leave," Emilie said, "But I wouldn't want to be apart from you, either."

"And I don't want to be apart from you, but I'm only a Lieutenant and I don't get to choose my posting. To stay here would mean choosing to leave Starfleet." Nycolas replied, his tone growing somber, "And I don't want to leave Starfleet."

They were both quiet for a moment, thinking through the uncomfortable possibility that hung over their heads. The Sword of Damocles dangling above their relationship.

Emilie leaned into Nycolas again, and she commented, "You're losing an important person from your life." Nycolas just nodded silently. "You don't talk much about your real father, Nyk. I feel like I know everything about Magnus, and some general details about your mother. But nothing about your dad."

Nycolas gave a shrug, "There's not much to say. Nothing positive anyway. He is an addict, a deserter, a liar. Not someone I could ever look up to."

"Oh." Emilie looked over to Nycolas and saw the flicker of resentment in his eyes. "That must be tough."

"It has been," Nycolas admitted gently, "He was a Doctor in Starfleet who started to self-medicate and began to neglect his duties. After a few incidents, he was suspended from duty to get himself sober, but he just went completely off the deep end. He would have rather lost his career and his family, then get help. Now he drifts through life using people, conning them, chasing the addiction instead."

"How terrible." Emilie sighed, shaking her head. As much as she felt her own father could be over-bearing at times, she was glad to have him. "He's never tried to get sober?"

"Every few years he'll show up to either me or Magnus, claiming he's in treatment and wants to make it all up to us. Says he wants to get back his sons." Nycolas rolled his eyes, "But it never lasts. He's mostly just using us to escape jail or get access to medication. It's always a lie."

Emilie held onto Nycolas a little tighter, "Wow. And does he speak to your mother?"

"She divorced him when Magnus and I were young. Now she's gone non-contact with him completely. It's like she's erased him from her life, she'll never speak of him. Which, to be honest, isn't a bad idea." Nycolas gave a short laugh, "I think... Maybe a part of me has enjoyed always traveling and moving about from mission to mission, because it means he cannot find me."

After a pause, he continued, "The Commodore has given me guidance, support, consistency. Even when... Well, sometimes I've spoken my mind too much. He's pulled me back on course when I needed it. But he wouldn't give up on me." Nycolas frowned a little, "I thought I would get to keep serving under him for much longer. Starfleet has had other ideas."

Emilie leaned up and kissed his cheek, "I'm sorry."

Nycolas turned and pulled her in for a hug, "Me too."

"If it helps," Emilie put on a smile, "As soon as my father finds out about us, he's either going to bury you or start planning the wedding."

Nycolas laughed, "Well now, that's something to look forward to." He replied sarcastically.

****

A few days later, Commodore and Sarah Thurston were packing their belongings into a shuttle, with the help of Emilie, Nycolas, and the shuttle pilot. The order for Thurston to relocate to his new assignment had come through with short notice, as was typical for Starfleet. Sarah had made the decision to leave with her husband, rather than spend the time apart. Now they were leaving Lucis together.

As the group were loading up the last of the crates, the pilot crewman picked up a small square case to add into the luggage hold. Seeing this, Commodore Thurston called out to him.

"Not that one, son." The Commodore said, as he closed the distance between them before taking the case into his own hands. "That one's staying."

"Yes, sir." The crewman nodded and continued working. Thurston placed the case by the side of the craft.

Emilie meanwhile was giving Sarah a long hug. "I can't believe you're going." She said tearfully.

"Me either." Sarah Thurston replied, "It's all been such a surprise and a sudden change. But I want to go, Ems. It's scary but it's exciting, too."

"Promise you'll send me messages whenever you can." Emilie implored her friend, "Assuming you can."

"I will." Sarah promised, "But I may be a little busy for a while."

"Oh? Emilie asked as Nycolas and Thurston approached. The Commodore put his arm around his wife, while Nycolas stood formally next to Emilie, arms behind his back. "Why is that?"

Sarah looked to her husband and smiled, before turning back to the younger couple, "I've decided to join Starfleet. As a Non-Commissioned Officer, of course."

"Oh my!" Emilie exclaimed, "That's... sudden, but amazing."

"Congratulations," Nycolas nodded approvingly.

"Yes," Sarah beamed, "It'll be grueling at first; just applying takes months of preparation, then there's the application test to pass. But, if I'm successful, I will be actually serving in Starfleet, and I should be able to serve with Cameron here. If he'll have me."

"I'll consider it," The Commodore joked, "Assuming you're up to my standards, Cadet."

"Oh, good luck." Nycolas remarked to Sarah, "I know how tough he can be."

"Proudly so," Thurston said, raising his chin up high, eliciting a laugh from the others.

Emilie just shook her head, and she said, "I'm going to miss you guys."

While Emilie and Sarah continued their goodbyes, Commodore Thurston pulled Nycolas aside. The two walked solemnly over to the side of the shuttle where Thurston retrieved the small case from off the ground. He held it up to show the young officer. Nycolas raised an eyebrow at the silver case, wondering what it could contain.

"I'm leaving this to you." The Commodore explained, handing over the case. "It was passed down to me by my mother, as it has been passed down throughout my family, and now, it seems only fitting that I give this to you."

Nycolas was shocked by the gesture as he took the case into his hands and opened it. Inside was an original Type-1 Phaser, a classic piece of Starfleet weaponry that was likely over a hundred and twenty years old.

"Oh." Nycolas gasped, "No I can't take this, sir."

"You will, Lieutenant," The Commodore said firmly, "You are like a son to me, Nycolas, and I want you to have it." While Nycolas was holding the case, Thurston took out the phaser and held it up to show him. The smooth metal surface shined brightly in the afternoon sun. "It's in mint condition, it might even fire still, not that I recommend trying. I want you to have it now, and not when I'm gone. One day you can pass it onto your own children."

Nycolas regarded the weapon with a solemn nod, though he winced a little at the last comment. "Sure."

The Commodore returned the phaser back into the casing, "Don't be coy, son, your so-called beneficial addition is clearly more than just recreation. You love that woman." Nycolas gulped and Thurston smiled knowingly, "And she loves you."

"I... uh... " Nycolas stammered before nodding in agreement. "Yes, sir."

"Don't wait." Thurston continued earnestly, "Waiting for life to happen to you is just wasting your own time, Nycolas. You never know what tomorrow will bring." He reached into the case and pulled out another smaller object. He held it up to show Temple, "This is a family badge, I had it made here on Lucis."

"Like the one you received at your wedding?" Temple regarded the round silver badge with overwhelmed awe. It had the Commodore and Sarah's full names, and the date of their ceremony engraved upon it, symbolizing when they became a family together and a part of the Lucis community. Encircling the badge was a motif of tropical flowers.

"Yes." Thurston smiled, "In case I am not able to be present for your own day, whenever that may be. I want you to have this badge."

"Aye, sir." Temple nodded, desperately trying to hold back his emotions. "Thank you. I am honored."

"And I am, too. You have a remarkable future ahead of you." Thurston said warmly. He gave a quick glance over to Emilie and Sarah, before he dropped his voice a little. "Let us hope the flower in the vase turns green once more."

Temple nodded quietly, "I hope so."

Thurston and Temple gave a formal hug, the older officer slapping Temple on the back a few times for good measure.

"Come on, Cadet." Thurston called back to Sarah as they approached once more, "We have to rendezvous with the USS Palatine in twelve hours."

"Aye, aye!" Sarah called back, giving a playful salute.

Emilie and Temple stood waving at the side of the landing pad as the transport shuttle lifted off the ground. Nycolas put his arm around Emilie as they did, feeling confident to show affection towards her publicly now. She reciprocated by leaning into his embrace, appreciating the support he was showing her. They stood together as they watched the Thurstons slowly ascend up into the atmosphere. As happy as they both were for the Commodore and Sarah, they were still sad to see them leave Lucis.

Once the shuttle was out of sight, Nycolas leaned down and kissed Emilie on the head, "I love you." He whispered, saying it for the first time.

Emilie was taken aback at first, as she looked up to Nycolas. She stared deeply into his eyes, feelings welling within her as she took in the genuine words he had just said. Finally, she smiled and nodded, "I love you, too." She replied.

****

Nycolas had just been preparing a training program for his team when he received notification that Starfleet Security Command had been requesting a sub-space call. Nycolas rushed back to his office and sat down at his console, before opening the call.

"Lieutenant Temple?" Vice Admiral Sykunno said formerly from his office in San Franciso, Earth. It was night-time there, the lit up Golden Gate bridge just visible from a window behind him. "Glad we could finally connect."

"Yes, sir." Nycolas nodded, "Apologies for the delay, I was preparing my team for a drill."

"I saw your submission," Sykunno replied, his tone neither friendly nor sharp. It was a strange neutrality. "You're taking them into the jungles of Lucis?"

"Not all of them at once, sir." Temple stated, "Small teams of three at a time. We get dropped into the jungle with basic survival provisions and we must make our way back to the city. I think it will help develop a stronger sense of individual capabilities and teamwork."

"I see. I look forward to seeing your first report and how you develop the program." The Vice-Admiral replied, "Ensure that you adjust your training to suit feedback from the team."

"I will, sir," Temple nodded, thinking to himself that he had already planned to do that.

"Now, I've gotten in touch because I've been concerned about the consistency of your performance." Sykunno commented, pivoting suddenly, "I have seen your records over the past nine months and your presence on the planet itself appears... well, inconsistent."

Nycolas was stunned by this news; he had never received negative feedback about his performance consistency before. He thought there must be some kind of mistake. "I have been present here, as much as I can."

"What does that mean?" The Vice Admiral furrowed his brow. "You are assigned as Chief of Security, correct? And yet I see frequent absences from the planetary colony on your records."

"I have also been working for Starfleet Intelligence, sir," Nycolas explained, his tone rising slightly as he protested.

The Vice Admiral leaned back a little, though didn't offer anything in his facial expression that conveyed familiarity. "I will look further into that, Lieutenant. Your role remains Chief of Security of the Lucis colony, correct?"

"Aye, sir," Nycolas nodded quickly.

"Why were you on Gaspar a few weeks ago?" Sykunno asked, "You were impacted by the terrorist attack, yes?"

"Again, I was on a mission." Temple answered curtly.

"What mission for Chief of Security of Lucis would require you to be on Gaspar?" The Vice Admiral asked directly.

Temple blinked, "For Commodore Thurston."

The Vice Admiral frowned, "Commodore Thurston retired last year, Lieutenant." He said firmly.

It took a second for the words to sink into Temple's mind. He thought for sure he had misheard at first, but then he saw the Admiral's face was deadly serious. Nycolas breathed out and he felt like all the air had suddenly left his lungs.

"I... didn't know that." Nycolas stammered, as a question came screaming into his mind. He found himself saying out aloud before he could stop it, "Then who was I working for?"

The Vice Admiral raised his eyebrow, "That's what I'd like to find out."

OFF