Spreading the News

Posted on Mon Jun 22nd, 2020 @ 6:07am by Captain Nycolas Temple & Lieutenant Krysia Kaleri-Smith & Lieutenant Commander James Smith
Edited on on Fri Jul 10th, 2020 @ 4:56pm

Mission: Divided We Fall
Location: Ready Room
Timeline: [AU] Prior to "Into the Light"

A Mission Post by Lieutenant Krysia Kaleri & Captain Nycolas Temple & Lieutenant James Smith
Mission: Divided We Fall
Location: Ready Room
Timeline: (AU) Prior to Into the light

Krysia was feeling more than a little nervous as she approached Nyx's door with James, she was feeling a little less dizzy than of late but was starting to feel more in the way of queasy which was the one she really hated.

James squeezed her hand and said, “Are you OK.”

"I'm okay" she smiled as she looked at James, "I just hope Nyx is as happy about me being pregnant as you are!" As James pressed the door chime they both waited for Nyx to call them to enter.

Nyx shuffled up to the door and heaved it open. Automatic doors were a luxury the crew simply didn’t have the power to provide, so it meant every door had to be physically opened now. His face was still grungy with a long, unkempt beard. The bags under his eyes had multiplied. He wasn’t sure the last time he changed his uniform. Emilie would have been on his back complaining about these things. But of course, she was here now.

He looked to see James and Krysia and nodded somewhat. “Yes?”

Krysia looked at James, Nyx was looking more & more rough every time she saw him, "Captain... may we talk to you a moment?” she looked at James the whole situation combined with her being nervous was making her feel quite off colour.

”I hope it’s good news.” The Captain replied shortly. He walked into his office to sit back down at his desk, the invitation for the others to enter was implied only.

Krysia looked at James she wasn't sure their news was going to go down as well as they were hoping, she wondered if they should bother entering the office at all.

Smith watched as Nyx walked back to his desk to sit, it looked like he hadn’t slept in weeks. “We have some news to tell you Nyx. I hope that you would think it’s good news.” Entering the office they approached the couch and sat down.

“Yes?” Nyx replied with a sigh.

Krysia looked at James she could sense the waves of negativity pouring off Nyx, although she could understand it given their situation she was worried how he’d take their news. “If now is a bad time we can come back at a later time...”

”Please just spit it out.” He huffed, already feeling this meeting was taking too long.

Krysia looked at James then back at Nyx, “Captain... I’m pregnant” she looked at Nyx waiting to see what his reaction would be.

The Captain blinked in surprise, remaining completely still for a few minutes. He just kept picturing Emilie, the little wooden doll, her face filled with joy and anticipation over their news. He remembered his own elation, thrill, and that surge of fear upon realising he was about to become a parent. Not once, but twice. It’s like the floor drops out beneath you but then you’re caught up in a twirling whirlwind.

But this wasn’t that moment. It wasn’t anything like those times. He only felt confused and disappointed. After a while, the stiff and terse Captain replied. “How?”

Krysia looked at James, then back at Nyx "The usual way..." Krysia was a little confused.

Nyx held up his hand. “No, I don’t mean that. I mean, how could you let this happen?!”

"Captain?" Krysia's hand clenched James' tightly, she knew this wasn't going to be easy but she hadn't expected this.

James looked at Krysia and Nyx, here was the woman he loved and his best friend. The tension was thick and by the expression on his face he could tell he wasn’t thrilled. He gripped her hand tightly he was truly at a lost for words as he tried to keep Krysia from crying and from saying the wrong thing to his closest and dearest friend.

"We thought you'd be..." Krysia bit her lip, right now her hormones were all over the place and she simply wanted to sit and cry.

“Happy?” Nyx asked with a slight snort. “A baby is wonderful news. In any other situation but this one. We are stuck in an isolated universe not much bigger than the ship. We have no pre-natal care, no medical equipment to monitor your pregnancy or assist with the birth. Especially if there are any complications. The food rations are insufficient to provide you with enough nutrients for the baby. We have no baby clothes or bottles, no cribs. I’m deeply worried for you and your baby and the world you’re bringing them in to..”

He continued, “We also have a finite amount of power keeping us alive and sustaining life support. Another person on board is an extra use of those very limited resources. Who knows how long we’re going to be stuck here, and now we have to accomodate another person? I want to be happy for you but I cannot help but feel you’ve both been deeply inconsiderate and irresponsible.”

James finally spoke up trying not to sound defiant. “Captain I am sorry that you feel this way and while this was not planned I plan on helping her through this pregnancy. I know we have very little rations and I am willing to give up a portion that is allotted to me so she can have more,to eat. Furthermore, this could be a good distraction for all of us. Yes we need to find a way home but we also need to continue to live our lives, and just maybe we can find a way to get back to our reality.” Softening his tone a little James said, “Nyx I know that you are worried about never seeing your family again, but I make this promise that I will not rest until we are able to reunite with our loved ones, our friends, and the rest of the ship. Please believe me that I will continue to give my all to do this.”

Looking back at Krysia then at Nyx he hoped that some of the tension would go away but he wasn’t counting on it. He knew what kind of predicament that they were in and getting out of this universe would require a miracle.

"I don't expect anyone to give up food for me" Krysia looked at James & then at Nyx, "I'll manage on what I have & I won't be giving up any of my duties either. I won't be a burden on anyone" she looked at James, "there's no alternative Captain we just have to make the best of the situation & I want to live my life not let it pass me by while I'm waiting."

"Your sentiments are nice." Nyx replied shortly. "But they are just that. Sentiments. I have to work in practicality and the reality of what is before us. There are thirty other people trapped in this situation and all of your good intentions aren't going to help when we're running out of food and oxygen. That is our reality. We would all like to get back to our family and friends, and live normal lives, but your actions have made it a lot more difficult to do that. In fact, this flies in the face of everything a Starfleet Officer should do in this situation. You have thought of yourselves before your crew-mates; you have endangered your own lives and that of your baby."

Nyx sighed, mentally trying to find a way to avoid his next statement but there was no way around it. "Due to your reckless actions, I have no choice but to demote you both to the rank of Crewman, and remove you as Chief Officers of your respective departments. When we get home, there will be a formal investigation. You will continue to participate in Bridge Watch and other rostered duties. Crewman Kaleri, you will do so until the seventh month of your pregnancy. In addition, from now until the baby is born, you will be responsible for gathering your own supplies, clothing, and necessities for the baby. And I will need you both to work on ways to increase our food availability without endangering our power supply."

He stood, straightening out his uniform and tilting his head backwards. "I do wish you both well, but I also wish you'd considered others first. Please hand in your pips."

Getting up from her seat Krysia removed her pips holding onto them for a moment, “I’ll make it easier for you Captain...” she opened up her hand, “I hereby resign my Starfleet commission effective immediately” she placed the pips in Nyx’s hand, “when we get back I’ll remain aboard in a civilian role” Krysia looked at James then back at Nyx, "If you'll both excuse me I need to lie down for a little while..." she offered James a brief smile before turning and walking out of the office leaving James & Nyx alone.

“I’ll let her rest but you will need to tell her that her resignation will be denied.” Nyx replied with a shrug. “We still require all hands to help in our current situation and I cannot have someone not contributing to the team. If she abandons her duties now, the first place she’ll be going once we return to normal space will be to the Brig.”

James nodded as he stood up he had watched Krysia walk out of the room and he hated to see her upset like this. Looking at his old friend he decided to use his words wisely. Looking back at a weary Nyx James said, ”We have known each other a long time sir and have faced down countless enemies and trials, and this is one of them. We cannot have a divided crew if we are to get back to normal space. I will continue to perform my duties to the best of my abilities.”

Smith looked down before continuing, ”I would advise you to get examined by our medical personnel here to see if you're still fit for duty, to demoted us over a pregnancy is rather tough and I hope you consider all other options as well.” Walking toward the door to leave James removed the pips off his collar and looked at them before placing them on the table and left the room making his way to his quarters to see how Krysia was doing.

“And he said it without any sense of irony.” Nyx replied flatly after watching him leave.

OFF