Splashdown

Posted on Saturday 30 October 2021 @ 16:48 by Civilian Sansa Draxx-Jones

Mission: First Contact
Location: Megaptera
Timeline: MD6 0800
1659 words - 3.3 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

The runabout slowly descended towards the surface. Doctor Blessed was piloting, Fay was sat next to him watching with awe. She was still amazed by space travel.

Esme sat in the back room reading some of Sansa's works that she had submitted to the Taylor Institute.

This is really fascinating. your work is quite brilliant. Esme thought to Sansa as she read.

I had a lot of help from Fay, when she left my body she left behind some of her knowledge and insights. It has helped me a great deal in my studies.

I would have loved to help you as well, these whales are fascinating. If only there was time....

If only...

Hamish's thoughts and emotions were tumbling over and over like clothing in a dryer. What was he to do? What was he to do? He just didn't know. He loved two women, and was he going to have to choose between them? How could he do so? He groaned, placing his head in his hands. Almost forgetting to look outside the window, he looked and watched while the runabout descended.

Fay appeared at the door. "When we arrived, Owan has asked that you come into the Etheria first so we can talk. Then afterwards, you can make sure the new colonists are settling into their new environment."

Esme let Sansa take over and she came over to Hamish. "Are you ok?" She regretted asking the question almost immediately, she knew he wasn't. Ever since they had found out what was going to happen to Esme. Sansa wanted so badly to help him but she did not know how. He had lost Emse once, and now he faced losing her again. "When we see Owan, I'll talk to him. Maybe there is something he can do."

Hamish grasped her hand almost like a man drowning, then released her hand quickly, he didn't want to hurt her. "I will, we will get through this." he responded, almost woodenly.

Doctor Blessed called out "You should really see this."

Sansa took hold of Hamish's hand "Come on." and she led him to the cockpit. The island was there as it was the last time.

"The ocean is teeming with life. I'm picking up vast quantities of Krill, lost of small fish and various other species down there." Doctor Blessed exclaimed.

"Looks like the whales won't go hungry." Fay said with a smile." At least a sustainable food supply has been established. Let's hope the whales themselves thrive as well."

It was beautiful, Hamish lost himself in gazing at the view and then turned towards the ladies. "It's beautiful!" and in his mind Hamish realized something, Mathias never got to set foot upon this planet. Hamish was getting to experience something on his own without being in his cousin's shadow.

On the island that Sansa had visited previously, The Megapteraians had given permission for a self-contained base to be set up for the scientific and diplomatic attachments when they were not in the Etheria complete with a landing pad. The cave where the pods had been was a short distance away. The runabout landed and one of the scientists came up to the open hatch. "Welcome back Doctor Blessed, Fay. Owan has requested that our guests enter the Etheria immediately." He caught sight of Emse in Sansa and gasped "All the Megapteraians are talking about her, like she's Royalty" He then blushed, realising he was talking about Esme while she was standing there "My Apologies, Elder." remembering what the Megapteraians had called her.

Hamish looked at Esme and then towards the scientist. It seemed that Esme was even more of a legend.

Fay led Esme and Hamish into the cave. She stopped, turning to them. "Are you ready?"

Emse let Sansa take over. She looked at Hamish. "Hamish, we're going to enter the Etheria. Now, this may feel a little wired but don't panic. It's perfectly safe. Just breath normally." she said as she could feel the material that formed the protective cocoons already creeping up over her knees. She could also see it rising up Hamish's legs.

Hamish gasped feeling the weird sensation with the living stone like material rising over him. He glanced at Sansa, a bit worried then he made himself calm down. Sansa seemed to not be bothered by it. And so he waited, to find out what he needed to do next.

Sansa could see the panic in his eye's. "It's ok, just breathe normally, you'll wake up in the Etheria in a moment. Trust me." The stone was passing her shoulders now, still creeping higher.

Hamish nodded trying to calm himself down more, it was such a creepy sensation and somewhat frightening.

Eventually, Sansa closed her eyes as the darkness enfolded her.

The Etheria

Sansa woke up and she knew instantly where she was. She picked herself up off the floor and she could tell something else instantly, she was alone in her head. She looked around and saw Fay and Hamish waking up and someone else who was already awake and looking around. A young woman with red hair and shimmering green eyes. Some Megapteraians had already come to see the new arrivals but they were all looking at this new girl with reverence and astonishment.

Hamish blinked then looked around amazed at what he was seeing then he looked towards Esme, and moved towards where she was at and gave her an embrace. "Esme!" he knew what she looked like for that image was ever burned into his mind.

Just then Owan entered. he came over to Sansa "Welcome back Sansa. I am pleased to see you again. You and your family are always welcome here. Your mother will always be held in the highest honour." He turned to Fay "Welcome back Fay and Welcome..?" he turned to Hamish.

"Oh, Hamish Teague." moving from embracing Esme. He looked towards those there with a questioning gaze. "Where are we again?"


"It is a pleasure to meet you Hamish and Oh my!" He turned and caught sight of Esme looking around with a content smile on her face. Owan quickly fell to one knee, much as Fay had done. With Owan, the rest of the Megapteraians also fell to now knee.

Sansa moved over to Hamish and whispered to him "This is the Etheria. What you see around you is just your interpretation of what's happening. In this place, the higher consciousnesses of the Megapteraians interact. Their physical forms are much, much different from ours.

Esme approached Owan and put her hand on him "Please stand."

"Forgive me, Elder, I meant no disrespect," Owan said.

"It's quite alright. It's good to be home."

"Home that has a good ring to it." Hamish responded looking at Esme and then the others. "I am so glad you are finally home." giving another smile.

Owan's smile was tinged with sadness. "Please if you will follow me, the other Magapterians slowly began to rise, still looking at Emse with a sense of wonder. They entered a hall with a seat at the end.
"This is the hall of the elders, no one has really been in here since all the Elders vanished many, many years ago. I suppose that is now your seat." he said to Esme as he bowed slightly."

Sansa stepped up to Owan "What's going to happen to Esme?

Owan's face fell more. "Her... her physical body died a long, long time ago. We can maintain her essence in the Etheria for a short time, but she will eventually fade into nothing. There's nothing we can do, I'm sorry."

Esme looked at Owan with resignation, seemingly accepting her fate.

"We can make you comfortable and see to your every need," Owan said to her.

Hamish's heart gave a lurch when he heard this. "No!" he gasped out, "Isn't there anything that can be done? Can't a new body be made? You have the ability to use living stone, why can't something be done for Esme?" getting a sick feeling in his stomach.

Own shook his head sadly. "We can do many things but that ability is still beyond us. What's that human expression?" He thought for a moment, remembering what he had heard some of the other diplomats say. "We're not God. When I was young, my father told me stories about the Elders. How they could create life, how they could become something other but I always believed they were only stories," he looked to Esme with an almost hopeful expression.

Esme gave him a bittersweet smile but said nothing. Owan nodded in understanding.

"If you'll excuse me, I must report to the council. If you need anything, you only need to ask." He bowed slightly in Esme's direction, then left the room. A hand full of young girls entered and stood off to one side, waiting.

Esme looked at Hamish with sad eye's. "Oh my Love, it seems our meetings are always so brief."

Sansa, who was fighting back tears at this point, slipped her hand into Hamish's and gave it a supportive squeeze. Esme watched the interaction, a plan forming in her mind.

She clapped her hand "I want to speak to Sansa. In private."

The young girls bowed their heads and left.

Hamish gave Sansa's hand a return squeeze, then walked over to Esme, pulling her into a passionate embrace and a lingering kiss. Then he turned to Sansa and did the same. "I will be outside so you two can talk with one another."

Hamish headed towards the exit to wait outside, his shoulders slumped slightly. Fate can be so cruel at times. He thought to himself. So cruel indeed.


OFF:

Sansa Draxx-Jones
marine specialist
USS Merlin

Fay/Owan/Esme
NPC's Jones

●● Lieutenant Hamish Teague
Chief Science Officer
USS Merlin