Re-born – To save or not to save
by Soghla' Terri (Tell) Hope & Soghla' Marie St. Helene & Soghla' Jared

Post Details

Title		To save or not to save
Mission		Re-born
Author(s)		Soghla' Terri (Tell) Hope & Soghla' Marie St. Helene & Soghla' Jared
Posted		Wed Feb 29, 2012 @ 7:29pm
Location		Hold
Timeline		shortly before arrival at the asteroid

In the hold Hope watched silently as Tell and Marie discussed options. Hope clung to the bear that Tell had given her as though it was the final thread that kept her bound to her human form. It was a tenuous cord that was getting thinner as the moments passed and there was nothing Tell could do about it. The girl had made her decision and despite everything they had tried she was adamant about being with her father. But if they could rescue them both then perhaps something good will come from it.

Tell had put some music on in the hold in a vain hope, she thought, to keep Hope as calm as possible. Her heart went out to the little girl who was lost, alone and clinging on to the one anchor she knew - her father. Tell had been like that once but had lost her anchor, her one and only brother. She had given up looking and her soul ached at the mere thought of him.

Tell tightened up notches and panels on the suit and glanced back at the girl who hadn't taken her eyes off her. She gave Hope a small smile and returned to the suit.

“I still think that's the wrong option,” Marie said. “No matter how hard you pull on those fastenings, the thing's way too big for her. You'll use more oxygen keeping it pressurized than she'll actually breathe. That will drastically cut down her likely survival time. What happens if Ro' somehow manages to pull off a miracle and we return to find a dehydrated, malnourished body? I still say put her in a pod. At least that way she can feed herself – and relieve herself. She scared half witless already. All alone on an asteroid, that latter might be even more important than the former.

Tell had thought about it too and thought to have both options available. It would cause her a lot less hassle than adapting a suit that in the end could have a detrimental effect on the girl.

"It wouldn't do any harm to prepare both just in case but you know what old sour puss is like once he has made up his mind, its difficult to change it. We can adapt a pod to suit her needs if need be."

They glanced around as May'Bel strode into the hold. He gave them an acknowledging nod, and then moved over to address Hope.

He looked at her sternly, and down at the bear she held. Then said something that took Tell and Marie quite by surprise.

"Your guardian, the bear. Does he have a name? Or does he yet keep it secret?"

Hope stared at May'Bel who just seemed to tower above her. She tried not to show her fear of him and the Chief Engineer admired her for that. "Tell said that his name is Henry. But Henry told me I could give him a new name if I wanted to. We like Ro'ro', because he looks cuddly, like the Captain... don't you think so?"

"I need to speak with him, as one guardian to another. Only for a moment."

She held the bear closer to her as if she were clinging to her last thread of humanity. "I don't know." she replied suddenly losing what little mettle she had. He did say it was only for a moment and so slowly, reluctantly she handed him over.

May'Bel took the bear in both hands, looking it gravely in the eyes. He moved away from them - still in earshot, but where they could only see his back.

"You know, Ro'ro, we soon will be obliged to leave you and your charge. Her father will be with her soon, but he is no longer able to make his own choices, and cannot protect her. That means the responsibility of protecting her rests on you."

"You must see that no harm comes to her. The responsibility is large, and you are small. But size is no matter if your heart is strong. The stories say the batleth master Dur'Khor was only 4'8", but he stood alone against 500 warriors of the Barak'tahr. This must be your story today."

"You must stand between her and those who would seek to take her. I charge you with her life - you must not allow them to take her alive, whatever it takes. Guard her, as would the finest and most zealous Klingon warrior."

He stared at the bear for a few moments, and then turned and moved back to Hope. He handed the plush creature back to her gently.

"Your guardian has a stout heart," he said with a nod. "His size belies his strength. I believe he will be able to keep them from harming you."

He moved past a stunned Tell and Marie, and gave a nod.

"I must go," he said simply. "I must return something to medical, and then ready the away team."

He turned and moved out of the hold, slipping what looked like one of HiChop's suture devices into a pocket as he went.