Just Another Day In Paradise

Posted on Wed Jun 24th, 2020 @ 2:58am by Emilie Temple & Katya
Edited on on Fri Jul 10th, 2020 @ 5:42pm

Mission: Death in Paradise
Location: Pandora/Paradise
Timeline: 19:45

ON:

Emilie Temple was half asleep on the couch of the Temple family quarters. Katrine was enjoying some lively play with her toys on the floor nearby as her heavily pregnant mother was struggling to keep her eyes open. She knew as soon as she'd laid back on the comfortable sofa that she would soon drift off, but wasn't too concerned about it. Katrine was old enough, with her imagination certainly active enough, to play on her own, and Nyx would be off-duty in a short while anyway. He apparently just had a last-minute meeting to go to, giving Emilie enough time to sneak in a nap.

That plan changed, however, when their computer console started loudly beeping with a message alert. Emilie groaned, holding a pillow over her ears to drown the droning sound out, but Katrine was having none of it. The noise was interrupting her play after all, and she loudly called for her mother to respond.

"Ugh! Alright, darling, I'll get it." Emilie sighed, reluctantly removing the pillow from her head. Katrine smiled and returned to her play as Emilie rubbed her weary eyes then called out, "Computer, what is it?"

"Incoming transmission from Paradise Outpost." It replied helpfully.

Emilie frowned, knowing it must have been for Nyx, but he was still out on duty. She also considered it may be Nyx himself, calling to say he would be home late. For a moment she wasn't sure what do to. She didn't like to interfere with the Captaincy business, but her duty as his partner sometimes required her to act as a go-between. She would do so with her usual discretion.

Rising to her feet, as quickly as her large pregnant belly would allow, Emilie shuffled over to the desk and sat down. Seeing in the reflection of the screen that her hair had been misshaped by her brief lie-down, she swiftly placed a hand across her wayward locks in order to appear somewhat awake. After doing so, she tapped at the screen to wake it up and finally accepted the transmission.

Suddenly before her was was an unfamiliar alien woman; dark skin with vibrant, neon tattoos and a wild shock of orange hair. She was sitting in what appeared to be a pantry, with no light except the screen reflected across her brightly adorned face. The alien tilted her head as she saw Emilie staring back at her.

"Who are you?" Katya asked.

"Who... are you?" Emilie returned with a frown.

"My name is Katya, Chief of Paradise Outpost. I am after Temple. Where is Temple?" Katya demanded to know.

"I'm Mrs Temple, Nyx's wife." Emilie replied pointedly. "I assume that's who you're after?"

"Yes, is he not there?" Katya said in a hushed tone. She kept nervously looking about her, as if expecting to be interrupted.

"Not right now, I'm sorry," Emilie answered, wondering if she should be whispering as well. "I can try to find him if you need to speak urgently. Or I can pass a message on for you?"

Katya's eyes withered slightly as she considered Emilie, a noticeably pause as she decided whether or not to trust this unknown woman who had called herself the Captain's wife. In Anh'Iran culture, wives were little more than accessories, incubators, or trophies. They would not answer calls or presume to speak for their masters. Despite how long she had spent away from her planet and people, it still struck her as odd to see the consort of the Captain clearly comfortable acting as his partner, rather than someone lower. Katya left her people because she never wanted to be a 'wife', she wanted agency over her own life instead. She would never understand someone willingly choosing to be paired with another.

"I have found a way to communicate directly with him." Katya explained. "But he will need to wait for me to contact him. It's too dangerous if he tries. I cannot trust anyone."

Emilie slowly nodded, trying not to show any reaction except acknowledgement. Nyx had filled her in with the details of the mission as much as he could, in between trying to sleep and going back on duty, thus Emilie was aware that Katya was effectively living under detainment by the Breen. She wondered just how much she could say in response to Katya. Emilie was not a trained Starfleet officer, she held no title on the Pandora except for in the civilian field. But she had represented the Federation before and was no naive when it came to intergalactic politics. Her relationship with Nyx was indeed a partnership; she felt she knew what Nyx would say in this situation.

"We won't do anything to risk your safety." Emilie replied tactfully. She didn't know exactly how they would do that, but that was for Nyx to sort out.

"Thank you." Katya smiled briefly, her face tattoos brightening for the briefest of moments in appreciation. Though she knew her time in the transmission was short, and indeed trying to contact the Pandora again was incredibly risky, she dared to continue the conversation further. Having spent months trapped in her office and quarters with few people to speak honestly with, she was finding hope in the Pandora's presence. It gave her reason to believe the occupation of Paradise could soon be over, and she wanted answers. She had escaped her planet to life her own life, only to end up a prisoner in her own station - now she wanted to free herself again and soon. Despite how dangerous it was, Katya continued, "It is my station I worry about. Innocent people are left exposed."

"They often are." Emilie said sympathetically, giving a slow nod, "I wish I could do more to help."

Katya stared again, considering the words once more. "I've heard that often. I wonder when the help will begin?" She asked, her tone weighted.

Though taken aback by the sharp comment, Emilie tried to remain positive. She didn't relent, "I know my husband, Chief Katya, he will do everything he can." Emilie replied.

"I know the Inconnu Expanse. It can be a ruthless struggle. Power and greed circle around us." Katya sighed, "But you cannot hope to make a difference if you are not prepared to act. The Expanse is no place for cowards."

Emilie sat back in her chair, feeling like she should have just kept sleeping. She glanced over and saw Katrine was flying her teddy bears in the air, as they were apparently space ships. Her innocence in light of the conversation Emilie was having seemed so out of place. Emilie sighed a little; she knew that if the Pandora could not liberate Paradise, they could just sail away from this place and carry on with their mission. It wasn't their place to interfere, after all. Katya would be left to live her life trapped by the Breen. But she knew the officers onboard the ship - dedicated, talented Starfleet crew. They would not just leave Paradise without helping its people.

"My husband, and this crew, are not cowards. We are not daunted by the Inconnu Expanse." Emilie said firmly. "If Nyx has said he will help, then he will find a way."

At this, the Anh'Iran woman smiled again. "We have heard stories of your ship, Mrs Temple. We are aware of what you are capable of."

"Such as?" Emilie asked immediately, unable to abate her curiosity.

"We heard you survived the Killing Fields, went to the place of two suns." Katya said cooly. "You witnessed the rebirth of the Indigo Sky. And most importantly, you defeated the Would-Be King. The Butcher."

Emilie felt like the air around her had dropped suddenly, surprised she was to discover that news of the Pandora's adventures had been so detailed and wide-spread into the Expanse. But she also knew the last event that Katya was referring to - when the Pandora battled the Ravager's Carnage ship and Nyx killed their captain, Balek the Butcher. She believed only Nyx, Emilie, Cailus, and Shae knew what really happened to Balek. How he hadn't died in the fight, or trying to escape. He had been assassinated by Nyx. Emilie had to keep her poker face, hoping there was no way that others would be aware of that particular detail. She chose to focus on Katya's description of the fallen Ravager captain instead.

"The Would-Be King?" She asked with a curious smirk.

"His reputation proceeded yours." Katya answered seriously. "He was a known monster. He killed and destroyed. He wanted to rule the Inconnu Expanse. A foolish notion of a blood-fuelled male. But now he is gone and the Pandora stands."

Emilie nodded, taking it in. She wanted to steer the conversation away from Balek and back to something positive. "We take no solace in that. We humans pride ourselves on overcoming war with our words where possible. That's why the Pandora crew will take their time to find the right way to help you, Chief Katya."

"The Breen are monsters too." Katya said simply. "They will suffer the same fate." The Anh'Iran paused, her mind reeling with possibilities. This was the first time she was considering life after the occupation, when she was free to run her station once more. "I will learn from this, and ensure I do not rely on anyone's help again."

Unsure of what to say, Emilie could only nod.

"I hope your ship is as capable as you claim, Mrs Temple." Katya continued. "I feel the Expanse will change once more. If we can liberate Paradise Outpost, it will lead to further rebellions within the region. The Alrakis Pact's grip on power may just slip. Tell your crew to be prepared."

"I will." Emilie replied firmly.

Katya looked off screen and frowned. "I must go. Inform Temple of my words, ready yourselves."

Without a farewell, the screen turned blank again, showing just the Starfleet insignia in the middle. Emilie stared at it for a while with a bewildered gaze, considering the journey the conversation had taken her on. She didn't realise that Katrine was standing nearby, a few metres away in the background. The little blond girl was hugging her teddy bear tightly and looking up to where Katya had been with wide eyes.

"Mummy, who was that?" She asked slowly.

Emilie was surprised to see Katrine standing there and she turned around quickly. She reached out and Katrine crossed the distance, crawling onto her mother's lap. Emilie smiled, "She's like the leader of the station we're visiting."

"Like Daddy?" Katrine asked, as she leant gently against Emilie's stomach.

"Yes, my dear."

"Daddy should have orange hair too then." Katrine declared in a matter of fact voice.

At this, Emilie couldn't help but laugh. "We will tell him that when he gets home, alright? I'm sure he'll appreciate the suggestion. Come on now, get ready for your bath."

"Will Daddy be home to read me a story?" Katrine asked quietly.

Emilie glanced back at the screen, an unsettling feeling in her stomach. She looked to Katrine and smiled, "I'm sure he'll try to." She said firmly.

OFF