#198 Back to Civilization

Posted on Thu Nov 2nd, 2023 @ 11:41am by Lieutenant JG Ainkara "Kara" {Meji}
Edited on on Thu Nov 30th, 2023 @ 10:03pm

Mission: Wedding Blues And Trouble
Location: various
Timeline: current

ON:

The USS Hudson dropped from warp just outside of the outer markers for Starbase 27. Ainkara sent her identification codes and waited.

"USS Hudson, Commander Riley, station commanding officer. We've been searching for you for days. Status?"

Ainkara glanced over at Burke in the co-pilot's seat. He was fast asleep, the drugs and treatments she had given him allowing him to relax enough to slip into restful bliss.

"Cadet Senior Grade Ainkara, here, Commander Riley. Lieutenant Burke is currently asleep due to his injuries and treatment." She stated.

"Cadet?" Asked Riley with an incredulous tone. "What about Lieutenant Baxter? Is he available?"

"Lieutenant Baxter was killed in action, Sir. Burke was wounded by a phaser shot to the chest but I was able to stabilize him. The perpetrators are now sedated and lying on the deck in the aft section, being watched over by the EMH. Should they stir he will sedate them again. Several of them have been wounded but will survive." Ainkara explained all this while looking to the monitor that showed her the aft section. The murderers and slavers were all still sleeping like babies.

"Has the EMH seen to their wounds, Cadet?" Riley asked.

"Yes, Sir," answered Ainkara. "They are stable at this time, but still wounded. Further treatment will be needed. I felt that keeping them incapacitated through drugs and injuries was the wiser choice, Commander. Lieutenant Kirk is among them, and the mastermind behind all this."

"A Starfleet Lieutenant was in on this?" Riley was shocked to hear that.

Ainkara did not know how much she should say about Kirk, given her situation and where she had come from. "Yes, Sir, that is correct. If you contact the Amandora I'm sure they can fill you in on the how and why, Commander. It is not my place to reveal sensitive information."

A sigh came through the speakers. "Understood, Cadet. You have permission to approach. Please, follow the flight vector provided and use the bay designated."

"Of course, Sir. Hudson out." She tapped the comm off and got the Hudson moving forward. Within an hour they were landed and shutting down. Ainkara gently shook Burke's left shoulder. seeing him come to and open his eyes, blinking rapidly to get them adjusted and to wake up. He sat up a little straighter. "We're here, Lieutenant. Come on, let's get you up." Aiding him in getting to his feet, which he did a lot better than back on the planet, Ainkara them put his left arm over her shoulder and moved towards the port hatch. His balance and strength were fine but Ainkara remained as a support just in case. The hatch opened, the steps folding down, and the two of them descended to the deck plates for Starbase 27. A man wearing command red, with three pips, stood with an eight person team of Security officers. That's when Ainkara realized that she had yet to shower and clean up, still covered in dried muck and blood from her woodland excursion. Her hair must look a fright, she thought.

"Commander Riley?" She asked.

Riley walked forward, with one of the Security officers waving in people behind their group. A medical team came forward and approached Burke, taking him from Ainkara. They went to lead him away and he stopped them. "Welcome to Starbase 27, Cadet. Lieutenant. You look a bit worse for wear, Cadet."

"I'm fine, Sir." Ainkara replied. "Bathing was not on my priority list when we left the planet we had set down upon. My apologies for my appearance."

Commander Riley looked at Burke as the Security personnel moved passed them and entered the ship. "Quite a thing you've accomplished, Mister Burke."

"I Didn't accomplish anything, Sir." Burke's head motioned to his right. "She did. If not for her we'd all be in slave cages or dead."

Riley's eyes came back to Ainkara. "Cadet Ainkara, please allow Security to escort you to guest quarters where you can clean up and get in uniform. After that, please report to my office for an after-action report. Did you happen to file a log for all that transpired?"

"I did, Sir. On the way here. Internal sensors and computer logs will corroborate the report."

"Very good. I will see you then. Dismissed." Riley waved in a Security officer, who politely requested that Ainkara follow him.

Before she took her first step Ainkara looked over at Burke with concern. He caught her gaze. "I'm fine, Ainkara. Go ahead."

Giving Burke a nod, Ainkara went with the escort.

***

Just over three hours later Cadet-SG Ainkara walked out of the lift and into main Operations for Starbase 27. She was in the proper uniform of the day, scrubbed clean head to foot, and her hair was no longer sticking out in every direction. As she made her way across the command deck she noted that the others stopped what they were doing and looked over at her, some tapping their friends and subtly thumbing her direction. When she met their eyes here and there she got nods of respect, which was foreign to her. When she approached the Commander's office the door slid open and she entered. "Cadet Senior Grade Ainkara, reporting as ordered, Commander." She had stopped at the proper distance from the desk, came to attention and saluted.

Riley broke into a smile from behind the monitor that had risen up out of his desk just before she had arrived. He tapped a few controls on his desk and a holographic image of another man appeared to Ainkara's right. "I told you, Commodore." He said to the holo-arrival as he stood and came around his desk. "This Cadet is all we expect from our personnel."

"I can see that," the Commodore responded, a smile on his face, as well.

Ainkara remained at attention, her salute still held, as the superiors discussed her even while she was in the room. After they returned the salute her hand dropped to her side at attention.

Riley then returned the salute, as did the holographic Commodore. Riley then addressed her. "Cadet Ainkara, Stand easy." He saw the woman visibly change from attention to standing tall and relaxed. "Your report was quite the read, Cadet. To say you went above and beyond would be to speak on the obvious. This is Commodore Richard Statham, a staff member for Starfleet personnel, liaison to the Federation Council, and a commandant with the Starfleet Rangers." He looked to the flag officer. "Commodore."

Statham looked to Ainkara. "Cadet Ainkara, your bravery and valor in this incident has not gone unnoticed. All that you did has been seen by the Federation Council and Starfleet Command. We would all be remiss to not recognize your sacrifice in saving the lives of your fellow officers, and in turn, capturing your enemies rather than killing them. Would you like to say anything before I continue?"

Ainkara did not like being the center of attention, but she did understand why. "Only that I did what was required, Commodore. Yes, I could have killed them all, and the thought did cross my mind. However, Starfleet is here to protect and serve, not to seek revenge. Had I been more perceptive during the events then perhaps Mister Baxter would be in Sickbay with his companion instead of laying in the morgue."

Commodore Statham gave a nod of understanding, and his face did change to a subtle expression of sorrow. "It is unfortunate when we lose young officers in their prime. Mister Baxter will be missed by friends and family, but his sacrifice will not be forgotten." Statham then took a moment to clear his throat and continue. "We are thankful you were able to return his body to his family. With that said, Miss Ainkara, we now come back to you. After taking your after-action report to both HQ and the Council, it has been decided that you should be rewarded for your exemplary service."

Ainkara's eyes went back and forth between the Commodore and the Commander, noting the grin on Riley's face.

Statham continued. "It has been decided that there is little the Academy could do to further your education. You know what it means to be an officer and a member of Starfleet, as you have proven. It is with great pleasure that I present you with the promotion to Lieutenant Junior Grade, effective immediately. Along with that promotion and commission you will receive the Federation Citation of Honor, and the Starfleet Citation for Conspicuous Gallantry. Congratulations, Lieutenant Ainkara."

As the Commodore had been speaking, Commander Riley had picked up a small wooden box from his desk, approaching Ainkara as Statham finished. Opening the box he showed Ainkara the gold and black pips for her uniform, removed them from the box before pocketing it, and began to apply them to her collar. "Congratulations, Lieutenant," he said while applying them, stepping back once done.

"Thank you, Sirs." Ainkara said. "If my actions benefit the Federation then I have done my duty. I neither seek violence nor wish for it, but I am always prepared for it."

"Well said," came from the Commodore. "Along with the accolades and commendations, I am also putting in an order that you may choose your next duty station, anywhere you choose."

"I am honored, Commodore." Ainkara said, giving a gracious nod. "I would prefer to serve on the Amandora. May I return there?"

Statham smiled. "Of course. If that is your choice then we will honor it. Again, congratulations, Lieutenant." His focus switched. "Commander Riley, is there a Baker-class nearby that can take her to Cardassia Prime to meet up with the Amandora?"

"There is, Sir." Riley looked to the newest Lieutenant in Starfleet. "They are within transporter range, Miss Ainkara. Should you choose to board now, the sooner they can get moving and get you back home."

Ainkara thanked them both with grace and humility. Once they dismissed her she left the office and went to the Tactical officer, requesting a call to the USS Finland. The Captain of the Finland had already received the message from Command, so he was ready to receive her. Within moments she was beamed over and taken to her guest quarters as the Finland warped out to deliver her back to the Amandora.

OFF: