Fleet Captain Kalianna Nicholotti - Ad Astra

[+ Yalu]

Pure poetry from our esteemed captain @Kali Nicholotti.  The combination of rich metaphors and the character's personal history woven effortlessly into the narrative made this delightful to read.  Cheers, Cap'n!

 

 

((Bridge, USS Resolution))

 

Nicholotti: Engage thrusters, and make for the stars.

 

The stars. 

 

In the root of all of her dreams, the stars had been central. No matter what collar she wore, or what role she filled, the dark Cimmerian shade of an endless night, accentuated by the pin[...]s of immolation, were the resounding voices that called to her. They were the hands that pulled her towards the future. And in the long, unending days in which she followed, she found herself ever more drawn into the infinite maw.

 

All while finding herself more and more alone.

 

Yalu:  Aye, Captain.  Taking her up.  Liftoff in five.

 

The voice of David Cody resonated in her head. 'It was lonely in the center chair, but Kay, you are never, ever alone.' There was a warmth there that she had not felt for a long time, and in his absence, she might have moved on. Yet, like with all of the others who had called her friend, lover, sister, daughter...she never had been able to fully let go. Words echoed through the annuls of history, leaving her with memories and an ache deep within that never quite went away. 

 

Nicholotti: Steady speed, prepare for transition to the nebula.

 

All of the proper words spilled out of the mouth of a seasoned commanding officer. There were steps to take and things to do and she would execute without flaw. The state of her inner thoughts and the hole that the losses she bore over the years would never make themselves known to the outside. 

 

Perhaps it was a good thing that those who knew were long gone.

 

MacKenzie: Any abnormal readings?

 

Yellir: Scanners functioning normally, sir.

 

Etan: response

 

Two pools of crystalline blue locked on to the images on the screen, never betraying the churning thoughts within. 

 

Yellir: Shall we brace for impact? Just in case?

 

Yalu:  ::gasps in theatrical, mock offence::  How very dare you.

 

MacKenzie: Oh, I’m sure we’ll be just fine…

 

Kali smiled one of her typical grins, a slight bit impish, as Makal had once described it.

 

Etan: response

 

Nicholotti: I don't think our helmsman would crash us twice in one day.

 

Her eyes moved from the screen just as the swirling nebula rose to meet them at the edge of the planet's atmosphere and settled on the Trill at the helm. Pilot to pilot, he had the makings of something great. Sierra Hotel, as her grandfather might have once said. It was what she'd aspired to as a teen behind the controls of the antique jet that she'd inherited upon his death.

 

Yalu:  We’re clearing the planet’s atmosphere, Captain.  I’m plotting a course out of the Briar Patch at one-third impulse.

 

They were on their way, and Kali turned her attention back to the screen. There were only a few stars that could be seen between the ever coalescing and dispersing colors of the nebula just outside.

 

Yellir: I’m certain we’ll arrive by then in one piece.

 

MacKenzie: There’s that positive thinking! Lieutenant Sherlock, status of the shields?

 

Sherlock: Shields are currently at one hundred percent and holding.

 

MacKenzie: Power levels look stable, Captain… I think we’re good to fire up the engines whenever Mr. Yalu feels comfortable…

 

Everything still stood on a razors edge. At a half impulse, it was going to take some time to get out of the nebula, but she had faith in the little ship that could.

 

Nicholotti: Whenever you're ready, Mister Yalu.

 

Yalu:  I’d be delighted, Captain.  Bringing the coolant modifications online and increasing speed to one-half impulse.  We’ll clear the Patch in just under twenty minutes.  After that, warp seven.

 

After that, stars. The sounds of an active bridge were almost music to her ears as they moved further and further from the world that had almost become their grave.

 

Sherlock: Shields holding steady.

 

Nicholotti: Very well, continue our path.

 

MacKenzie: response

 

Yalu:  At this rate, we’ll be back in familiar territory by this time tomorrow.  ::beat, smirks::  I think that means someone owes me some sapphire wine, but I can’t remember who.

 

Kali smirked towards the back of his head. Apparently she wasn't the only one who wanted to buy him a drink after the hotshot flying he'd done.

 

Sherlock:  response

 

Yalu:  I’m afraid I will have to insist on collecting it in person.

 

Nicholotti: I am certain you'll have plenty of time to do just that when we are back at 224. 

 

MacKenzie / Any:  response

 

Yalu:  As soon as we’re back in normal space, I’ll contact Deep Space 224 and send them a list of the survivors.  Who knows where Starfleet will reassign Hanno’s crew, but I’m sure the Romulans will want to be repatriated as soon as possible.

 

The whole thing was going to be a sticky situation. From her words with the Senator, she knew that there would be little for this group back where they once called home, save for the debris left behind by a sun-gone-nova and the burnt remains of what was their lives. 

 

Nicholotti: I am sure the Senator will assist, but their future is likely unknown. We can hope the Federation will help.

 

Any:  response

 

Kali nodded. History had a funny way of dictating much of what came after. It echoed in the ears of those who had lived it long enough to make decisions and build whatever kind of future to avoid the trials of the past. She could only hope that the Federation had an eye and the feelings of humanity, even for those who once were enemies. For those who once were not to be trusted.

 

As for her own history, there were walls which kept the tears well hidden behind an ocean of memories never reflected in the crystalline blues. A blanket of calm coolness and a commanding stature that came from having lived, and died, at the hands of time governed her motions, her moves. No matter how much she wanted that to change, time seemed to simply burn hotter.

 

As it was said, time was the fire in which they all burned. Kali's fire burned endlessly, fueled by the severed connections with so many she had loved and lost. Hope, the fighter of such flames, dwindled as she learned of deaths and the continued missing, and as those she had once been close to had faded into their new lives on another side of the galaxy. Time was no friend to her, at least not here and now.

 

Chatter around her continued, and the minutes ticked by until finally, with little fanfare, the swirling colors of the Briar Patch started to thin. As they faded, the points of light shone brighter against an inky blackness that reflected the darker parts of her soul.

 

MacKenzie/Any: Response?

 

Nicholotti: Set course for 224, best speed. Let's go home.

 

Yalu/Any: Responses?

 

((OOC - With this, we can assume arrival to 224 and the start of some well deserved shore leave!)

 

TAG/TBC

 

--

 

 

 

 

 

Fleet Captain Kalianna Nicholotti

Commanding Officer

USS Resolution

 

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