An end, and a beginning

Posted on Thursday 11 November 2021 @ 12:51 by Civilian Sansa Draxx-Jones

Mission: First Contact
Location: The Etheira/Megaptera
Timeline: MD6 1900
2012 words - 4 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Sansa stood and watched as the other left, leaving her alone with Esme. She approached and sat on the steps In front of her seat. “Are you ok?”
Esme’s image faded slightly for a moment before returning to normal, and she looked as Sansa, saddened “I don’t have much time. Owan and the others… They’re all afraid of me. I don’t blame them; they haven’t encountered one of my kind in a very long time.”
Esme started to cry at this point. “I'm scared, Sansa. Everything I am, everything I know will be lost and Hamish, I’m going to lose him again.”

Sansa felt Esme’s pain. She also knew that Hamish would be devastated by losing her again. She reached out and held her hand. “I wish there was something, anything I could do.”

****


Outside the hall, Fay and Owan approached Hamish. Owan spoke. "We all felt a disturbance in the Etheria, I think...." Before he could finish, Sansa walked out of the hall. She walked over to them.
“Esme… She’s gone. She faded completely.” She said in a numb, hollow voice.

Owan nodded, he had been expecting this. Fay came over and hugged Sansa. “I think it’s time we were leaving the Etheria.” Sansa said, looking at Hamish “I think we need some time to come to terms with what's happened and we still have to make sure the whales have settled in before we leave.”

Owan nodded “Thank you for your understanding and… I’m sorry for your loss. The both of you." I know you were close to Esme. We will remember her.”

Hamish went numb all over, hearing this news. He was glad he kissed her, sad that it had been a kiss goodbye. Now though, he could feel his heart breaking once more, could feel his soul shattering. He didn't- he didn't know if he could allow himself to get involved with Sansa. Was that fair for her though? Hamish woodenly nodded, "Yes, yes time to leave." he looked to Sansa. "Let us go." his voice devoid of happiness or even emotions at the moment.

Sansa wrapped her arms around Hamish and drew him in close. She whispered in his ear slowly and calmly. "I know you're not alright, but you will be."

Hamish barely responded to Sansa, wondering if his heart was still beating. He woodenly looked at her. "Sansa... Esme...." he whispered, then his voice faded, waiting for them to leave this place.

She released him and turned to address Owan "On behalf of the Federation, thank you for your hospitality and your assistance.

Owan nodded "You and your friends will always be welcome here Sansa." He turned and bowed to Hamish, before turning back to her "Please send your mother my warmest greetings."

Sansa smiled and nodded and her vision started to blur as the Etheria around them started to dissolve.


The Planet's surface, The Cave


Sansa's eyes flickered open. Doctor Blessed and another science officer were standing over her. Sansa got to her feet and went over to Hamish who was also just waking up. She took his hand "Hello there."

Hamish woke up feeling a slight state of panic, then it subsided. "Hello there." giving a faint smile, it quickly faded away, he was certainly going to have to go see a counsellor after this.

Doctor Blessed cleared his throat "If you'll follow me, the colonists are ready to start beaming down."

Sansa gave him a supportive smile. She asked Hamish in a quiet voice "Do you need a moment?" She then looked at Doctor Blessed. "We'll catch up, just takes a while to get used to the transition."

Doctor Blessed nodded "The observation platform is set up not far from here. Just follow the pathway to the shore. There are wet suits for when you feel up to having a swim." The Doctor and his assistant headed off.

"I'll be fine, erm... the whales yes. The whales." giving a nod as Hamish wrestled his mind to the task at hand.

Sansa let him gather his thoughts. After a moment, she motioned with her head. "Come on, let go see the whales. It will occupy your mind, It's why we're here."

Hamish decided to just continue concentrating on the whales, looked at Sansa. "Yes, let's see how they are doing!" he was getting excited.

Sansa led the way to the water's edge.

Hamish took Sansa by the hand, "I am looking forward to this." allowing himself to be happy for this occasion. He shoved his grief to the back of his mind, his worries and sorrows were minor when a historical happening was at hand.

While not quite as picturesque as Earth, the water gently lapped against the shore and there was a gentle breeze. Sansa stopped on the platform and took a deep breath "It's beautiful, you can feel the ocean."

Fay who had exited the Etheria at the same time, now back in Abigale joined them. She looked at Sansa for a moment and frowned slightly, then shrugged and said "The Santa Maria just signalled. The last colonists have just been beamed down."

Sansa cocked her head to one side, then turned to Hamish "One of the females has just given birth. She must have been so close when she was onboard the ship."

Not far from the shoreline, a Humpback breached spectacularly in joy, crashing back into the water with a huge splash. Fay was already donning a wet suit. She looked at Sansa excitedly "Coming?"
Sansa looked at Hamish. "The mother and calf are close by, would you like to see?"

A baby! Oh, that drove anything else out of Hamish's mind. He ran over to get a wetsuit on so he could join the whales in the water. "This is a beautiful place, a great place for new beginnings. Wouldn't you agree?"

Sansa had to suppress a chuckle at Hamish's comments. "Yes... New beginnings... toiseach ùr" she repeated as she too started t get changed into a wet suit.

In The Etheria, the past

Sansa stood and watched as the other left, leaving her alone with Esme. She approached and sat on the steps in front of her seat. “Are you ok?”

Esme’s image faded slightly for a moment before returning to normal, and she looked as Sansa, saddened “I don’t have much time. Owan and the others… They’re all afraid of me. I don’t blame them; they haven’t encountered one of my kind in a very long time.”
Esme started to cry at this point. “I'm scared, Sansa. Everything I am, everything I know will be lost and Hamish, I’m going to lose him again.”

Sansa felt Esme’s pain. She also knew that Hamish would be devastated by losing her again. She reached out and held her hand. “I wish there was something, anything I could do.”

Esme looked up at her, hopefully. “There may be a way, but I warn you… This will change who you are and, there could be risks….”

Without hesitation, Sansa replied “Tell me how...”


Back in the present, at the water's edge

Sansa smiled to herself as she prepared to enter the water.

Hamish was ready and wondered just what Sansa was smiling about, but then, who can't blame her, she was getting to see a newborn calf! And he went to the edge, now ready to experience this aspect as well.

Fay was the first into the water, followed by Sansa. They did not have to wait long as the new mother appeared on the surface gently nudging her calf to the surface. The young whale was a lot lighter in colour than its mother and was only 5 meters long, compared to its mother which was almost 4 times bigger. The calf, fearless and curious, came over to Sansa under the watchful eye of its mother.

Sansa reached out and gently stroked the calf "Halo an sin" (Hello there in Scottish Gaelic)

Hamish blinked, hearing the words come from Sansa. He'd not heard her say this before. It reminded him of Esme, feeling the sting of tears in his eyes. He shook his head, no, he was not going to break down, not at this time. Besides, Sansa may have started to learn the language as well early on but hadn't even tried it until now. He slipped into the water and reached out to touch the calf as well marvelling at this piece of wonder.

Doctor Blessed was monitoring from the shore "Both mother and calf seem to be in good health." he called out.

The calf returned to its mother's side as they both turned to rejoin the other whales.

Hamish looked over to where Doctor Blessed was, and smiled. "Indeed they do seem rather healthy, I am glad to be seeing this." then Hamish stopped for a moment as he trod water, scooped up a small handful of water and took a swallow of it, then said quietly. "And now you are a part of me Esme." gazing out towards the new horizon that was now evident. He then turned towards where Sansa and Fay were at. "This certainly looks like a marvellous place for them to prosper." giving a smile. Then swam over towards Sansa.

Sansa had heard Hamish's comment but did not say anything. Her movements in the water had become much more natural and graceful. She had been a strong swimmer last time but now she moved effortlessly through the water like it was second nature.

Another of the Humpbacks, a female approached the trio. Sansa reached out and put her hand gently on the massive creature. "She's about to give birth as well.

His eyes widened at hearing the words, feeling the goosebumps run up and down his body.

The whale submerged and about 20 minutes later her newborn calf was nudged to the surface for its first breath.

Sansa reached out and took hold of one of Hamish’s hands as she trod water effortlessly. She whispered to him “Very few people have witnessed what we have just seen.”

Tears of joy ran down her face as she began to sing to the new calf who incredibly seemed to listen.

Even Fay listened with tears of joy in her eyes.

'S i Mòr an àilleachd
'S i laogh a màthair
'S e bhi 'ga tàladh
Mo rogha ceòil

Translation:

Mòr is the beautiful one
She is her mother's darling
It is lulling her
that is my choice of music

From Morag is sweet

Hamish listened to Sansa sing, feeling the goosebumps rise over his whole body and when she finished her singing, he pulled her close and kissed her gently. "That-that, was beautiful Sansa. " he murmured softly. He wished that Esme could have seen this but, he also felt so very blessed that he could see and experience this with Sansa. Something that Mathias wouldn't be able to experience for himself.

Doctor Blessed called out from the shore. "That was incredible. The whales seem to be heading into deeper waters to feed, and speaking of feeding... I bet you all are hungry. Come on back and we'll get some dinner.

The newborn calf lingered for a moment looking at Sansa before it turned and, assisted by its mother, went to join the others.

Sansa watched till they were out of sight then turned to Hamish, whose hand she was still holding. "Come on, let's head back."

Giving a nod, Hamish turned away from the sight of the newborn calf and left with Sansa to go back to the shore. "That was lovely." he managed to say, then went quiet. He had lost someone he held so dear in his heart. He was a mess.


OFF:

Sansa Draxx Jones
Marine biologist
USS Merlin

●● Lieutenant Hamish Teague
Chief Science Officer
USS Merlin