Back on track

Posted on 06 Oct 2025 @ 10:41pm by Lieutenant Commander Temerant Bast & Captain Bane Plase

1,589 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: The Festival of Unity
Location: Elysia
Timeline: 5 days after the Storm

Primarch Barsavi of Elysia strolled down the boardwalk, leaning heavily on his cane, his eyes turning back and forth as he surveyed the new installations. The Starfleet team had done an amazing job of restoring the kiosks for the Festival, but no amount of restoration could make up for the loss of thirty-two lives in this storm.

The Elysian Ruling Council had already started discussing the matter. A memorial would be commissioned in their memory. The call for proposals was being drafted, artists would send in their projects, and a committee would select the final Memorial. But that would take months.

His leg still ached from the injury he'd sustained himself, but the worst of his injuries had been expertly healed by the Federation medical staff. They had wanted to take him to the Starbase, but he had refused. His people needed him here.

The artisans were beginning to set up their wares in the kiosks, which were due to open in a few hours. There would be a brief ceremony for the victims of the storm, and he would say a few words to thank the crew of the Cygnus, who had helped rebuild for the Festival of Unity. But his heart was still heavy.

A few meters away, he could see the Captain of the Cygnus, standing with his First Officer. He strolled in their direction.

As the Primarch approached, the Captain and First Officer were in discussion. "....and I am told the Premier has even sent an official commendation to Admiral Savok about yours and your teams performance....Oh," Bane said, happy to see the Primarch. "Greetings and salutations, Primarch. I trust you are well," Bane asked, motioning almost imperceptibly to the favored leg.

“I will admit to having seen better days,” said the Primarch. “But all considered, I am as well as could be expected. I am delighted to see that the Festival is now able to proceed. Although I am sorry that restoring the Festival’s facilities came at the expense of your own crew’s lodgings.”

“That’s as it should be, Primarch,” said Bast. “Your people’s needs take precedence over our own.”

Bane nodded. "He is exactly right, Primarch. One of the core tenants of the Federation is cooperation. As Federations citizens, Temerant and I firmly believe in the collective effort and mutual aid and ensure prosperity wherever we can. As Starfleet officers, we also believe in putting the welfare of others ahead of our own and offering humanitarian aid and assistance during natural disasters, just as you have seen here," Bane said, sweeping his arm out as to show what they had a hand in helping with.

"The Festival of Unity is a sacred tradition for our people. If the event had been cancelled entirely it would have been a very difficult blow for morale. We are extremely grateful for your assistance. And rest assured, rebuilding your accommodations will be next on our list of priorities."

Plase smiled. "Thank you, Primarch." Then, Bane's face took on a more serious tone. "Lieutenant Commander Bast tells me we found some malicious code in the planetary weather control satellite system. Commander," Bane said, inferring that the Executive Officer take up the conversation.

Bast was surprised that the Captain was willing to address that topic with the Primarch until they had more specific information, but ever the professional, he didn't let his hesitation show.

"Some kind of polymorphic code was inserted in the weather modification network, which affected the satellites that should have prevented the storm. Who created this code, when, and why, we still don't know. But the Starbase's scientific staff will be investigating."

He deliberately avoided mentioning the survival gear they'd found in the hangar. There was little doubt in his mind that it was related to the hacking of the satellites, but until they knew who was involved, perhaps it was preferable to keep that information constrained.

"You needn't worry, Primarch. My Lieutenant Commander Bast and his teams have purged those systems and rewritten the programming, this time with additional security measures. The system is working perfectly. We will find who did this, and they will be brought to you for your justice system to answer for their crimes. In the meantime though," Plase said, his voice rising with genuine happiness and a bit of excitement, "The Festival is about to commence. I know we are all looking forward to the opening ceremony and the festivities. Shall we," he asked, motioning towards the pavilion.

"Of course. Time to get ready." He gave the two officers a final nod, and stepped away toward the side of the stage, where an aide was waiting for him.

Bast turned to his Captain as the Primarch walked away. "Are you sure this was the right time to tell him about the sabotage? For all we know, the Elysians themselves could be involved."

Bane nodded. "I understand your concern, Temerant. You know we don't have any leads right now. If it is the Elysians, word of the Federation putting resources towards this investigation will put pressure on the guilty parties. That pressure will lead to mistakes. And those mistakes will lead us to those responsible, Elysian or otherwise." Bane patted his friends shoulder. "What say we enjoy this festival? Might as well enjoy ourselves, hm?"

As the pair turned to find a comfortable spot with a good view of the stage, a column of sparkling lights appeared near them, and coalesced in the form of Commodore Xaeralan.

The Orion looked around to get his bearings, and focused on the Cygnus’s commanding officer.

"Captain Blaine," he greeted. "Congratulations. You got everything ready for the Festival right on schedule."

The Bajoran officer gritted his teeth, but here was not the time nor the place to correct the Flag officer, or to make a scene. Instead, he focused on the comment. "Yes sir, we did." Then Bane had a stroke of genius. "It was all coordinated, led, orchestrated and carried out by Mr. Bast, here. He is the one that deserves all the credit." Plase knew there was a point of contention between Commodore Xaeralan and Lieutenant Commander Bast. Whatever it was, it pleased Bane greatly to rub it in the Commodores face that Bast did outstanding work, saved lives, and saved a critical cultural event.

"The crew's performance is always a reflection of the training, discipline and leadership coming straight from the top. I'm quite certain they couldn't have done it if you hadn't set the example, Captain," countered Xaeralan. "And when someone congratulates you, it's bad form to decline the honors."

He looked around the area, his eyes wandering over the various kiosks and the smells coming from the food stalls. It was almost time for elevensies, his stomach reminded him.

"Now you'll be happy to know, while you've been busy here, the teams on Starbase 375 have been working overtime. Your ship will be ready within the week. Personally I think they got tired of your Chief Engineer constantly harassing them, but the end result is the same."

Plase considered telling the Commodore that it was in bad form to dress down someone in front of their subordinates, but Bane wasn't about to get into a pissing match with the Commodore, for it was also in bad form to do that in front of a subordinate. Bane just had to grit his teeth and take the L. "That is great news, sir. I know everyone, myself included, are anxious to get back aboard ship. None probably moreso than Lieutenant T'Lara." Bane nudged Bast with his elbow. "She does think of it as her ship, after all," he chuckled.

Xaeralan waved the last comment aside. "No harm, no harm," he said. "Sometimes my own teams need a little kick in the rear end. Now we're still working out some of the final details of your shakedown cruise. I'd like to see you in my office in two days to go over them."

"Two days, aye sir. Ill make an appointment with your Yeoman. Will, uh, will the Commodore be staying for the ceremony and festivities?" Internally, Bane was excited about that meeting. He would finally be learning about all the upgrades and new technologies being integrated into the ships systems, something T'Lara had been notoriously tight-lipped about thus for, much to Plase's chagrin.

"Of course," said Xaeralan, reaching out to one of the stalls and grabbing what looked like a bit of skewered meat that had been grilled. He took a bite, and sauce drizzled down his chin. "I was invited by the Primarch," he said around the mouthful.

Deadpanned, Bane said, "Oh boy!" with clearly feigned excitement.

"Indeed," said Xaeralan. He then spotted something else that piqued his culinary interests farther down the line, and drifted away from Bane and Bast.

"Quite the character," said Bast in a low voice next to his Captain. "But at least we know we'll be getting our ship back soon."

"Yes he is, and yes we will", Bane said, watching the Commodore pick through the growing crowd. He turned to his Executive Officer. "He has been a thorn in my side for a while now. I cant wait to get out of drydock and back out there. We have a lot to do, and a difference to make." His tone was hopeful, excited for what lay ahead.

"Yes, sir!" agreed Temerant.

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Bane Plase, Captain
USS Cygnus, Commmanding

Lt Cmdr Temerant Bast
First Officer, USS Cygnus

 

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