Call Of The Wind [Minisode]

[James Carter]

[Earth Spacedock]

With the final defeat of the Liberation came paperwork and meetings. The crew were granted shore leave on Earth while the ship's captain was locked in a room with Starfleet command. "Captain, please explain in detail what happened during the final conflict and why a flagship was crippled under your watch." A male Admiral requested flatly, obviously ready for the formalities to be over with.

The young officer sat quietly as he listened to the question directed at him. "Well sir, the unfortunate truth is that the Liberation set their warp core to explode on impact. Before we could change our plan we had already collided with the ship, one of my officers informed me moments before impact that their warp core was overloading which is why we immediately ran away." James replied with an equally flat tone. This wasn't his first debrief and it certainly wouldn't be his last on that note.

"A good segway to our next question. Why did you use a ship as a battering ram?" The female Admiral who sat across from him asked bluntly.

Carter grinned slightly as he thought back over his plan. "The truth is that we were never supposed to collide with the ship. I figured if the Liberation had studied the Athena like I suspected they would likely know the story of when we used the ship as a giant torpedo against a Borg cube. I figured if we started moving towards them they would flinch first. It was a slight miscalculation on my part. That is all." He tried his hardest to maintain a professional tone, but the honest truth was that he found the whole situation comical.

[Katheryn Brighton]

[Brighton's Home - San Francisco]

When Shore Leave had been granted to the crew, following their defeat over the Liberation and subsequent return to Earth. Katheryn had naturally wanted to stay as close to Starfleet as possible, especially should she be needed for what she could only imagine would be a fair few meetings regarding what had happened. Yet having use of her parents home that they still kept, since they had moved here when Katheryn was a teenager gave the Brighton family the best of both worlds.

Allowing them to spend some much needed time together, as well as reflect on the past year. The highs and lows, the losses, the gains and the realisation that their fight with the Liberation was now over. However today was about the twins and more importantly celebrating their first birthday. It was still hard to believe how quickly their first year had gone and Katheryn wanted to make sure that this was remembered and have some normality that went with shore leave, before they returned to duty.

So the backyard had been transformed with a bouncy castle, food and drink tables, games and everything a one year old could ever want. Invites had gone out to the crew and family, although the XO understood that shore leave didn't happen that often but hadn't wanted to leave anyone out. No matter who made it, it would still be a memorable day.

Although at the moment, she was currently chasing a semi clothed Elise, who had decided that playing was far more interesting than getting dressed.

" I think Elise, has made her feelings known about wearing clothes" Katheryn quipped to her husband as their daughter made a beeline for her favourite dolls house. Scooping her up in her arms as she giggled, which while semi frustrating, was something that Katheryn would remember as they didn't always get chance to have moments like this.

With Elise now squirming in her grasp and playing with Katheryn's loose long blonde hair, her Mother, returned to the sofa, sitting down in the attempt to put Elise's new dress on.

" That's a good girl, you sit for Mummy, then you and Aleks, can go play soon".

[stryker aune]

Craig Hospital || Englewood || Denver || Colorado || North America Continent || Earth || Sector 001 || Alpha quadrant || Milky Way Galaxy || Universe

Shore leave. In a hospital. Yay. Craig Hospital held the reputation for being the leading and primer rehabilitation hospital for traumatic brain injuries, or TBI's. They had an unparalleled success rate and Sven, being in Star Fleet was given a room. It was nice, and comfortable. But he was not. The pain associated with using and reforming dead nerves was excruciating at times.

He was currently in a large open room. A gym of sorts with various tools and apparatus used for helping people regain motor control. It was breezy and quiet with only a few people. Sven, being as huge as he was, needed two people to help him stand to his feet. They fitted a suspension belt around his waist and currently had the anti-grav struts set to 98% of his body weight. The team of people placed his hands upon parallel bars and his huge arms shook and quaked as he struggled to wrap his fingers about the cold metal. He grit his teeth from the pain as his fingers slowly did his bidding.

"Sven." Mary said, as she knelt down to take hold of one of his legs by the calf, "Just like we practiced in the room."

Again Sven took a breath and willed his leg to move. He struggled and strained. Grit his teeth but it moved ever so slightly. Mary did her part by assisting the direction of the movement, but the actual lifting was done by Sven.

Something so mundane as taking a step made him sweat and he grunted.

"Sven, you just took your first step!" Mary exclaimed. "This is a really good sign. And you are recovering faster than anyone has expected."

Sven still didn't have much control over his facial expressions. It was neutral but he was both pleased, and annoyed. "Not fast enough." he said with a bit of a slur.

"You need to be patient and give yourself grace." tom said as he watched on, control for the belt in his hand. "This is going to take time."

"Other foot now." Mary instructed as she moved around the bars to take hold of Sven's other leg.

Again he strained and grunted. But his left leg wouldn't respond.

"This is normal. You were right hand dominant, so you left side is going to be more resistant. Try again."

And try he did.

[Tulan Prolus]

[Earth, Spacedock]

Tulan Prolus had already boarded the USS ATHENA earlier in order to attend a celebration created by his new superior and First Officer.  During that time, he had already basically reported in and had time to get settled into his new quarters.  Though he was still a Cadet from Starfleet Academy - the Academy had assigned him to the ATHENA for training and practical experience.  Tulan found such an idea rather interesting, but certainly wasn't going to argue with it.  The Intrepid-class Science Cruiser was currently docked for repairs.  The First Officer:  Katheryn Brighton was on shore leave at her home, and his Captain:  James Carter was in a meeting with Admirals.  He wasn't exactly sure what to do at the immediate moment.  The idea of exploring Earth occurred to him, but he decided against it.  After all, he had not been granted shore leave, and was now assigned to the ship's crew.  The idea of waiting to meet his Captain in person seemed rather foolish considering there was no way to know how long a meeting with Admirals might take.

Thus, Tulan began by exploring his new home; for such was what the vessel would become to him during his service aboard her.  While it was wise to get to know the whole ship; Tulan was more curious about the ship's upgrades, and the scientific areas of his new home.  There was mostly Engineering personnel on the ship at the moment as they went about repairing the damage done to her in the previous mission.  Whatever had happened - it had clearly been a challenge for the ship and crew.  Wandering the decks of the damaged ship; Tulan explored her the best he could without getting in the way of those responsible for getting her taken care of.  Once he reached the science labs - Tulan noted this particular Intrepid-class carried a larger and much better equipped research area.  The labs were designed for both specific scientific challenges and could be converted to handle different ones.  Furthermore, he noted each came with holographic support - which was rather intriguing.

He had the distinct feeling that it was going to be quite the adventure serving as a Science member aboard the ATHENA.  There was something fascinating with the name of the starship.  Though he was a historian as well as a scientist; Tulan had trouble recalling where he had heard of the name before.  It was certainly an Earth name, but he wasn't sure from where on Earth it had come from.  Deciding to look into the matter while there was nothing to immediately challenge him; Tulan sat down at one of the computer terminals in the lab.  It was, thankfully, functioning, and through this he called up the origins of the name Athena.

"The origin of the name Athena comes from an area of Earth known as Greece in ancient lore.  The name:  Athēnē was the name of the Greek Goddess of Wisdom, Warfare, and Skill.  She was considered to be one of the children of Zeus:  the deity of Thunder and Lightning." came the computer's brief answer to the Trill.

"What an aptly named ship!" Tulan noted in a whisper with satisfaction and wonder.

[Klizh]

Computer Core

While, technically, yes, K'lizh was supposed to be on shore leave, Earth held no appeal for him. Oh, yes, it was an exotic planet and he would probably go on a deep-sea dive at least once before they shipped back out. Octopuses fascinated him. But K'lizh's tolerance for humans was at an all-time low right now, and the very thought of dealing with an entire planet of them made him want to lock himself inside his quarters, but he knew that was unhealthy.

So, rather than stewing, he chose to keep himself preoccupied and make himself useful. And so he was overseeing the updates to the Athena's computer. Running back and forth, reviewing patches of code, updating the medical database of their EHM. It was satisfying, rewarding work, and it was lifting his spirits. This ship was growing on him. While it lacked the graceful magnificence of a Galaxy-class vessel, he had to begrudgingly admit that Intrepids were more cutting-edge and easier to update.

Oh, yes, the ship was growing on him. The crew... not so much. The revelation that their ordeals for the past several months had been the result of a grudge match between their human captain and his alternate-reality counterpart had left him feeling used and abused. Months of his life had been wasted working as a pawn for other people, not exploring the galaxy like he had signed up to Starfleet for in the first place. The whole odeal put a bad taste in his mouth. K'lizh hadn't made up his mind yet if he would put in for a transfer. The only reason he hadn't already done it was the possibility that he might wind up stationed back in the Gamma Quadrant, and he never wanted to go back there.

Better the devil you know, as the human expression went. He growled to himself before crawling back into the narrow corridors of the Athena's brain.

[Caleb Brighton]

[ Brighton's Home - San Francisco ]

When Shore Leave had been granted to the crew, following their defeat over the Liberation and subsequent return to Earth. Katheryn had naturally wanted to stay as close to Starfleet as possible, especially should she be needed for what she could only imagine would be a fair few meetings regarding what had happened. Yet having use of her parents home that they still kept, since they had moved here when Katheryn was a teenager gave the Brighton family the best of both worlds.

Allowing them to spend some much needed time together, as well as reflect on the past year. The highs and lows, the losses, the gains and the realisation that their fight with the Liberation was now over. However today was about the twins and more importantly celebrating their first birthday. It was still hard to believe how quickly their first year had gone and Katheryn wanted to make sure that this was remembered and have some normality that went with shore leave, before they returned to duty.

So the backyard had been transformed with a bouncy castle, food and drink tables, games and everything a one year old could ever want. Invites had gone out to the crew and family, although the XO understood that shore leave didn't happen that often but hadn't wanted to leave anyone out. No matter who made it, it would still be a memorable day.

Although at the moment, she was currently chasing a semi clothed Elise, who had decided that playing was far more interesting than getting dressed.

" I think Elise, has made her feelings known about wearing clothes" Katheryn quipped to her husband as their daughter made a beeline for her favourite dolls house. Scooping her up in her arms as she giggled, which while semi frustrating, was something that Katheryn would remember as they didn't always get chance to have moments like this.

With Elise now squirming in her grasp and playing with Katheryn's loose long blonde hair, her Mother, returned to the sofa, sitting down in the attempt to put Elise's new dress on.

" That's a good girl, you sit for Mummy, then you and Aleks, can go play soon".

Caleb smiled as he walked into the living room to see his family. He rushed up and scooped up Aleks into his arms. "Come on Aleks. Let's get you cleaned up so you and Elise can get to playing faster!" As she spoke he kissed his son on the top of the head. He moved to the sink to grab a washcloth so that he could wipe the dirt of his son's face. He moved to sit down on the couch next to his wife. He smiled when Aleks stayed still on his lap while his wife dealt with Elise. "I am sure they are more than ready to go outside and play. Today looks to be wonderful." He pecked his wife with a kiss on the cheek.

[James Carter]

[Earth Spacedock]

The Admirals scowled as Carter finished speaking. "A miscalculation that caused 4 of the terrorists to die and nearly cost the lives of your father and his crew." The female Admiral scolded.

James paused and thought over his words carefully. "While technically true, we also simultaneously prevented the Liberation from ending more innocent lives. Are any of you aware of how many lives the Liberation took?" He paused briefly to allow his words to settle in. "I know. Two-hundred and sixty-three. Two-hundred and sixty-three men, women, and children who's lives weren't almost lost. I'll never be able to forget walking into that colony during our first encounter. The image of bodies, young, old, man, woman, Starfleet, and civilian alike will be burned into my brain for the rest of my bloody life. They weren't slowing down either, if anything they were only ramping up." Carter stopped a moment as his gaze moved between the admirals.

The other Admiral at the table sighed and picked up where James left off. "Your motivation was never called into question Captain. Just your act-." The older man was cut off by Carter.

"My point is clearly not strong enough. Should I list each victim by name? I'm more than happy to do that, because while you may have forgotten about them I never will. That's why you have me out there isn't it? I'm the captain that sacrifices himself at every turn to protect the people that would otherwise be forgotten." His tone was venomous. Gone was the usual calm and collected captain, in his stead was an angry bull. "Would you like them alphabetical by first name or last name? Or would you like them chronological?"

[Katheryn Brighton]

[ Brighton's Home - San Francisco ]

Caleb smiled as he walked into the living room to see his family. He rushed up and scooped up Aleks into his arms. "Come on Aleks. Let's get you cleaned up so you and Elise can get to playing faster!" As she spoke he kissed his son on the top of the head. He moved to the sink to grab a washcloth so that he could wipe the dirt of his son's face. He moved to sit down on the couch next to his wife. He smiled when Aleks stayed still on his lap while his wife dealt with Elise. "I am sure they are more than ready to go outside and play. Today looks to be wonderful." He pecked his wife with a kiss on the cheek.

[Brighton's Home - San Francisco]

As Caleb brought Aleks over to sit beside them, Elise became more interested in her brother, their bond evident even at this young age. Yet Katheryn smiled especially as her husband commented on how they were more than ready to go play and how today looked to be wonderful. " I agree on both counts" she replied after her husband kissed her on the cheek. She then finished putting on Elise's pink princess like dress and allowed Elise to climb off her lap.

" I still can't believe that they're one already, but I know that they'll have a great birthday party" Katheryn said as she looked towards Caleb for a moment, before her attention returned to Elise.

Getting up from the sofa, Katheryn followed their daughter to the doors that led out to the yard.

" If Aleks is ready, let's all go out and watch them on the bouncy castle, until everyone arrives".

[Alice]

PROGRAM Alice 312

implicit none

[Toyshop, San Francisco]

Alice was an anxious shopper.

It seemed easy, at first. With her wireless internet connection, she could locate stores in her area or online retailers that would deliver to her; she could search their inventories for products she wanted; she could compare types and price points, prices, delivery costs and times; and check reviews and feedback. She'd heard it was important to find a good deal for some reason; a Ferengi had said it, and they'd know about these things.

But searching even a few retailers produced a large volume of comparison data. As she added more, such as all those available in a city like San Francisco, this quickly increased exponentially. The sheer number and range of options on a planet like Earth, or within the Federation, made it a significant big-data problem. Of course, she could apply a cut-off after a certain number of compared items, knowing that anything that followed would be statistically the same as what she already had to consider. Regardless, finding the best deal and the product she wanted took effort, costs in time, computational cycles, and energy, which she could essentially factor into the price. The more she searched, the costlier it became, until it became too expensive to keep searching.

Then there were the abstract aspects of the product: the aesthetics and purpose of it, determining whether she needed it and/or wanted it, and trying to estimate how purchasing it would impact her neural network. The android was unused to wanting things for no purpose other than to have them, she wasn't even sure why. Even just liking things boiled down to a statistically unlikely affinity between her neural network and the subject. The impulse that had pushed her to it hadn't extended to making an impulse purchase.

Until then, she was stuck in a deadlock of indecision, her processors heating up until her cooling system hummed audibly.

And Windblade still stood in her box on the shelf, practically taunting her with the new holographic Stormfall Sword feature.

'Miss? It's closing time.' said the store clerk uncertainly, 'And you've been standing there for five hours.' It had been discouraging the other shoppers, especially the children.

Disturbed from her deadlock, realising that another day of this shopping would destroy her, Alice 312 quickly picked out all the Transformers she'd settled on. It became suddenly easy when she stopped trying and gave up. 'I want to buy these.' Following the surprised and exasperated clerk back to the counter, she said softly to Windblade 'I hope your legs stay on.'

END PROGRAM Alice 312

[Esmeralda Van'Roe]

[Apartment in SoMa, San Francisco]

Esme fastened the last three buttons on her shirt and bent over to retrieve the coins by her feet, figuring they must have fallen out of her jeans. She checked the time and sighed, nervous about being late to the Lieutenant Commander's event. Shore Leave was more of a Godsend to the rest of the crew, and since Esme had just joined the vessel, she wasn't sure what to do. Part of her wanted to stay onboard the USS Athena and make a good name for herself helping out but she had plenty of time to do so when Shore Leave was over. Plus, it gave her more time to inhale fast food, and since she was heading to a children's birthday party; she hoped cake would be involved.

"I'll see you," Esme said and threw her jacket on, smiling at her friend. Sarah, looking like a Greek Goddess herself, stubbed out a cigarette and pulled the bedsheet up so that it covered her chest.

"When?" She asked, a pinched expression on her face. It reminded Esme of a sad but sceptical puppy, or perhaps it was just the look of someone who sought out disappointment. Esme shrugged; she was never quite sure how to go about leaving. Sarah had been her best friend for as long as she could remember but they were far from sister-like. Esme tried not to give much thought to whatever they were, it made things complicated and not in a good way.

"Keep in touch?"

"You better," Sarah muttered and then smirked. "If you get bored, I'll be here." Esme scoffed but said nothing. She left Sarah in the bedroom, grabbed her bag from the hallway and a bottle of water from the fridge before heading out. The commute to the First Officer's home wouldn't take her too long if traffic was sensible but she still had to make a pit stop at the nearest shopping complex. What did normal children like? Would it be wrong of her to buy candy? Maybe she should have asked if Lieutenant Commander Brighton needed anything specific or was that only a ritual for baby showers? Inwardly groaning at the sheer smugness she was about to encounter, Esme called Sarah. "Miss me already?"

"You wish."

"What'd you leave this time?"

"Nothing – at least I don't think I have. I need to know what babies want for their birthday."

[Alexander Graham]

[Graham's home-Pasadena -> earth,space dock]

Alexander had spent a long time away from home but he figured that his family understood that he had duties that he had to fulfill. He completely understood that they might be mad since he didn't write them in such a long time. He was nervous about going back home since he wasn't there for so long. He wasn't sure what he was going to say to them since he didn't know what to expect. He approached the door to the apartment and knocked on the door. When his brother opened the door he had him come inside. He was surprised but he was happy to see him.

"Hello Alex do you remember me?"

"Somewhat you left when I was nineteen."

He looked straight at her parents and he wasn't sure exactly what to say. When his mother said "oh my hello my dear son I'm glad you finally came home for a moment" he knew that he had to say "I'm not here for long I'm only here for a moment then I have to leave again." He looked at his mother and father again and said "I'm sorry I didn't write before I promise to write home more often."

He had no idea whether or not his brother came home just for him or not. He found his shirt and buttoned it so that he looked good and clean. He tied the laces on his boots and then left for the door. Before he left he looked at his family and said "I have to go but I promise that you will have a letter from me soon."

He left to go to the earth space dock. He figured that when he arrived there he would make himself useful by completing the list of things that he needed to do. He was sure that he would be able to get everything done in time even though he didn't think that there was a deadline that was set. He wondered if someday he would have the courage to update his family on what's exactly going on without feeling nervous and then he would end up not saying a single word to them. Maybe a letter could tell them more than what the words spoken from his mouth. He was so used to being with the Athena crew so it felt awkward for him to be with his own family.

[Alice]

[Brighton's Home, San Francisco]

Alice 312 predicted she might be early to this party, but since she never slept or did any of the other things that took up an organic's time, she was rarely ever late. Except for one occasion when she received a major software update from the homeworld right before a meeting with Academy admissions, because those patches were never timed conveniently or gave her much of a choice on when she could reboot. It had been a fraught 243 seconds.

Reviewing the invite to the children's birthday party, confirming time, location, and appropriateness, and checking the bag carried her at side, Alice walked up to the door to the Brightons' home, pinged the 24th century's smart-home computer system, and signalled to it her presence. And the doorbell rang.

[Mess Hall, USS Athena]

With one eye on the instructional video, and one on the board, literally, Alice 360 watched the cook push his hands into his dough, then pushed her own hands into her dough, mimicking posture, angle, and spread of fingers. Her first attempt barely left an indentation, so she attempted it again, increasing the force applied to her hands. They smashed into the board, creating an splattering explosion of flour and bits of dough. Too much, maybe? She decreased the force significantly, and had better success. She saved the force value, and steadily refined and trained her dough-kneading algorithm.

Pizza night was going to be great!

[Spacedock]

Approaching the crate of self-sealing stem bolts, Alice 404 crouched and clamped its hands on either side, but was interrupted by the dockyard foreman. 'Woah, that's going to be way too heavy for you to lift, young lady. Let's use the hover-lift.'

But 404 went ahead and lifted the large crate with ease, up to its chest. Sensors in its arms measured the force in local gravity, and it made a quick calculation of the mass. 'Its mass is approximately 181 kilograms. It is not too heavy for this unit to lift. This unit is also not a young lady.' It carried the crate away to the Athena, leaving the foreman scratching his head.

[Caleb Brighton]

[ Brighton's Home - San Francisco ]

As Caleb brought Aleks over to sit beside them, Elise became more interested in her brother, their bond evident even at this young age. Yet Katheryn smiled especially as her husband commented on how they were more than ready to go play and how today looked to be wonderful. " I agree on both counts" she replied after her husband kissed her on the cheek. She then finished putting on Elise's pink princess like dress and allowed Elise to climb off her lap.

" I still can't believe that they're one already, but I know that they'll have a great birthday party" Katheryn said as she looked towards Caleb for a moment, before her attention returned to Elise.

Getting up from the sofa, Katheryn followed their daughter to the doors that led out to the yard.

" If Aleks is ready, let's all go out and watch them on the bouncy castle, until everyone arrives".

Caleb smiled and looked to his son. "You ready buddy?" Aleks moved a bit and Caleb let him climb safely off. "I cannot believe it's been a year either. Their party is going to be amazing. Did you see the gifts Catrin and Jenna got the twins? The plush tribbles I think we can live with, but I think the drums are going to be a bit much. Luckily we have Alphonse."He moved to walk with his wife to let the twins play.

[Katheryn Brighton]

[Brighton's Home, San Francisco]

Alice 312 predicted she might be early to this party, but since she never slept or did any of the other things that took up an organic's time, she was rarely ever late. Except for one occasion when she received a major software update from the homeworld right before a meeting with Academy admissions, because those patches were never timed conveniently or gave her much of a choice on when she could reboot. It had been a fraught 243 seconds.

Reviewing the invite to the children's birthday party, confirming time, location, and appropriateness, and checking the bag carried her at side, Alice walked up to the door to the Brightons' home, pinged the 24th century's smart-home computer system, and signalled to it her presence. And the doorbell rang.

[ Brighton's Home - San Francisco ]

Caleb smiled and looked to his son. "You ready buddy?" Aleks moved a bit and Caleb let him climb safely off. "I cannot believe it's been a year either. Their party is going to be amazing. Did you see the gifts Catrin and Jenna got the twins? The plush tribbles I think we can live with, but I think the drums are going to be a bit much. Luckily we have Alphonse."He moved to walk with his wife to let the twins play.

[Brighton's Home - San Francisco]

" I agree, it will be and I did" Katheryn replied as her husband moved to join her and Elise with Aleks. The gifts the twins had received already, had truly been different and unique, which just showed how diverse their extended family was and she loved their influences. " As for the tribbles, I'm surprised that Elise hasn't got hold of hers as she couldn't put it down earlier and you're right, I'm glad we have Alphonse, when it comes to the drums and that our quarters are sound proofed".

The last part was said in jest, however at the sound of the door chime, notifying them of a visitor, Katheryn looked at her husband. " Looks like we have our first guest, you watch these two and I'll go answer it".

With that, Katheryn walked back through the main living area and approached the door. Opening it with her code, she stepped aside as it opened to reveal Alice 312.

" Alice, welcome to our home, please do come in" Katheryn said warmly, happy to see one of the crew.

[Nira Said]

[Lieutenant (JG) Nira Said | Craig Hospital | Denver | Colorado | Earth]

After so much that had happened on the Athena, with the Liberation, the two Carters, and the promotion, Nira felt she deserved to go on shore leave. She needed it anyway, because until Lieutenant Aune fully recovered, it meant she was acting security chief. It was not just more than a handful in so short a space of time, but so much that was put on her plate, because it meant, in addition to coordinating security efforts and work, as well as shooting starship weapons, she still had her forensic duties to worry about. So she jumped at the opportunity of shore leave.

But where would she go? So many options to choose from.

She decided to visit her departmental head, to see how he was doing, before she decided to drop in on her human hometown, Abu Dhabi. She wanted to have Malik come along, but she wasn't sure whether he got her message or not.

Being informed of where Lieutenant Aune was being treated on Earth, she beamed down to that hospital and approached the reception desk.

"Excuse me, nurse?" she asked. "Lieutenant Nira Said. I'm here to see Lieutenant Aune, unless I missed visiting hours."