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Posted on Wed Sep 17th, 2025 @ 5:51am by Captain Calypso Skyie & Tessa di'Orion & Lieutenant JG Kally Kellerman

Mission: A Princess Of Tial
Location: Light's End, Tial

The shuttle landed as softly as if it were dropping onto a pillow, but the increased hum of the matter/antimatter reactor told Calypso that the information Tessa and Cass had given them about the atmosphere draining energy was correct. No matter how efficient the power source, it couldn't sustain itself for all that long out here. She stood from the copilot's seat and made her way into the relatively full shuttle and made her way to the hatch taking a deep breath of Federation air for the last time before hitting the button to drop the hatch.

Despite the rank that Tessa had, Calypso had sternly informed her that she would not be the first one out. Instead it was her with her dress uniform and a sword on her left hip. She had no real idea how to use it, but Tessa had said that appearances were important. There were four others on the landing pad, two that were clearly security armed to the teeth and beyond, another woman, shorter and off to the side, but the one standing in the center was standing tall, though all were blonde, she was the one that clearly commanded the area.

Cally walked out a few steps, knowing that she had made herself into the target, but it was her job to do it. “Baroness di’Orion?” She asked, steeling herself, “I am Captain Calypso Skyie, of the Federation starship Chimera. Thank you for letting us come down to the surface to meet you.” She heard a rustle from behind her and knew that she’d been disobeyed, somewhat.. only the rustle of the white cloak that Tessa wore would have made that noise.

Sera inclined her head politely, and her expression went through several intense but subtle changes as she first politely nodded to the human Captain, then controlled relief and joy at seeing her daughter, then something less definable seeing Cass coming up quickly behind Tessa.

"Captain Skyie," Sera said, her voice measured and calm. "Thank you for bringing my daughter home. I cannot express my appreciation enough for your efforts. We are forever in your debt." She inclined her head again. "Please, approach, and be welcome."

Anyone who’d have seen Cass would have seen a very small change in her expression, but as Cally stepped forward, a blur of white streaked past her as Tessa threw herself forward into her mother’s arms and wrapped her own around the taller woman, “Mother! I’m home, just like I promised you!” She squeezed tightly.

Sera's arms could have snapped a tree trunk in half with the force of the hug she gave her daughter. "Essie," she said, her calm, diplomatic voice abandoned as raw emotion took over. She let tears flow as she hugged her daughter, a joy she thought she would never experience again. "Thank Skull you are safe," she said, kissing her forehead and stroking her hair lovingly.

“I am, but only because Cass disobeyed orders and kept me alive.” Tessa gave a smile over her shoulder at the bodyguard who had approached slower behind her. “And then Captain Skyie and her crew rescued us from slavery; but, don’t worry, I wasn’t abused then. I was kept as a trophy instead of a servant or worse.” She had to reassure her mother that she hadn’t been violated; she knew that possible wrath. “We had a few detours along the way, and here I am, with new friends, knowledge, and technology.”

Sera breathed a sigh of relief, reluctant to let Tessa go, lest she disappear again. "Well we shall see that Cass'e'Indira is suitably chastised for her disobedience and then properly honored for her bravery and wisdom," she said, giving Cass a grateful smile. "That said, I could have done with fewer detours, but I'm so glad you're back." She stepped back, looking Tessa over. "I look forward to hearing all about your adventures. And I have quite a bit of news for you as well." She looked at Calypso. "And please you and your entourage must join us for a celebratory dinner tomorrow evening. Who have you brought with you?"

Cally gestured behind her, where others of her crew were starting to exit the shuttle, "Your Grace, these are some of my officers." She turned and realized a couple of things, Kally hadn't boarded and she'd kept the initial group light intentionally, "I didn't bring many of them along this trip, Your Grace, Ensigns Destrange and Larribee are part of my security detachment, because Starfleet doesn't let their Captains go on away missions alone. My Chief Pilot Lieutenant Raven Windancer is flying my shuttle, but may need to take the shuttle to orbit since power drain is affecting the shuttle pretty badly. I do have a second shuttle due to land, at your request, in an hour with my engineering team."

"An engineering team, you say?" Sera said, her interest piqued. "I would be most interested in speaking with them. From what I've been told, they could do wonders for our power generation systems. I'd also be most curious about seeing more examples of your technology."

"We can certainly arrange that, Your Grace, on both accounts. Tessa gave us a heads up that we'd have to um... Protect them from the environment, so we did put some in hermetically sealed cases until they can make it to one of your caves." Cally smiled at Tessa, "Also, you are more than welcome to come up to the Chimera and I can give you the nickel tour of the ship if you'd like."

"So long as the conditions in your engine room are safe for me in my condition," Sera said.

Tessa's eyes opened wide at the pronouncement, even before she knew what was about to be said. There were few things that could make her mother not jump instantly at the chance to inspect the newest creations of their own Technical Priests, much less the technology that the Federation could show her, "What condition?"

Sera smiled at her daughter, her face glowing. "Since your absence, I engaged in a bonding with Torash'e'Velik di'Kastel and I am pleased to say it was successful." She put her hand on her stomach which wasn't showing yet, but she still felt the spark within her. "And, you'll be pleased to know that with your return, we have found a suitable match for your first bonding."

The brightness that had filled Tessa's eyes at the thought of another sibling died instantly, but the smile remained even if it were fixed instead of bright and cheerful, "That's... wonderful...on both accounts, Mother. Dare I ask whom it will be, so that I can prepare?"

Cally almost felt the air chill in that moment and she had to all but bite her tongue. This was one thing she had feared would happen, but it was their way and the Prime Directive forbade interference in these situation, so this was the right time to try to extricate herself. "Your Graces, perhaps if you could detail someone to show us where you'd like us to go, we could allow the two of you to catch up with each other?"

Sera was studying her daughter's face with a quiet intensity. She looked Tessa in the eyes and then looked back to her guest. "Of course." She turned and beckoned someone waiting off to the side. "Please direct Captain Skyie and her associates to the caves so that they may inspect our power generation system. They are to be afforded every courtesy, and are to be considered under my personal protection."

"Of course, Your Grace." The attendant bowed deeply.

Sera turned to face the captain and gave her a formal bow. "Captain, I look forward to tomorrow when I may tour your fine vessel. Until then, please enjoy our hospitality as much as you wish."

Cally gave a slight bow and backed away to tell Raven to get the shuttle back into orbit to await further instructions as the attendant dutifully approached to guide them.

As the Captain left, Sera turned back to Tessa, taking the girl's hands in hers, smiling warmly. "You have the honor of pairing with Hiral'e'Cetak di'Broste, a Priest of Bey'a'Dande Fourth Class of the Northern Watch. A fine warrior who will sire a worthy successor."

'One of the border lords.' Tessa remembered from her lessons... How long ago was it? It could possibly bring those lands into the Eastern Watch, part of the methodology of how the regions expanded and contracted over the centuries. She exhaled. "I'm sure he will do so." It was solemn, not the semi-excitement of some others who had just been presented with their first pairing. "I presume I'll have some days to prepare?"

"Yes," Sera said, watching her. "It will take them nearly two weeks to arrive. Plus, I think it would be best for our guests to depart first before private affairs are conducted."

Tessa put a brave face on. "Then that gives me some time." She squeezed her mother's hands tightly. "How much time do you have, mutra?" She used the name she'd always called her mother when she was young. "I truly would like to tell you about some of the friends I've made, the adventures we've been on! I've been training with Lady Kellerman in their medical bay and she's taught me things that none of Urd have thought of, I'm sure!" Her changing subjects to something happier may be obvious, but she really was excited to tell her mother everything.

Sera smiled at her. "For you, my heart, I have nothing but time. When I heard you were returning, I didn't want to waste a moment. I've even canceled all formal ceremonies for today. Every remaining minute today, I have dedicated to spending with you." She smiled down at her daughter lovingly and cupped her cheek in her hand. "And I would love to hear all about your adventures."

The knife to Tessa's heart from that statement was worse than if it had been intentional, but there was literally no way her mother could have known how those words would affect her, but Tessa had been taught well to hide how she felt. "Then, can we go home and I can get out of this formality? I've been spoiled on the ship with anything I could even dream of wearing and I'm afraid this armor may need adjustment; I've put on at least fifteen pounds since I left." Tessa smiled and took her mother's hand in her own.

Sera smiled, happy to finally see Tessa smile, although she could tell there was more to be said. "Of course, Essie." She squeezed Tessa's hand and they walked slowly across the grounds towards the entrance to the citadel. "Now, tell me about these medical miracles you've learned about."

"So, medical, and that reminds me I need to talk to one of the Lights of Urd tonight, even if it means we send a shuttle to fetch one." Tessa began, holding the hand tight as she pressed her side to her mother as she had when she was younger and they'd gone for walks, "There was a full medical team, mutra, three 'doctors', they're like Priests of Urd, and several 'nurses', but they aren't like our attendants, they have almost as much knowledge. Henry was one of the nurses, the head nurse, and he was one of the ones that was teaching me a lot, when Lady Kellerman was unable to or didn't have the time. And all of them were just so nice and helpful, they went out of their way to help me learn, especially Henry."

"I see," said Sera, noting Tessa's sudden shift in tone. She looked down and watched her daughter's expression, as the girl looked on ahead at her home. "And what sort of things did you learn?"

"Well, new surgical techniques, including one called a laproscopic surgery!" Tessa said excitedly, "I know we can't do them here right now, because it involves making small incisions and inserting instruments to perform the procedure instead of opening the subject up fully. It could reduce the risk of infection significantly, if we could find a way to hook up displays to some of the new scanner technology. What if we could set up some artificial caverns where we could control the entries and put them into major holdings for centralized clinics? Would that be possible?"

Sera smiled at her daughter's initiative and excitement. "It is certainly a bold idea," she said. "Clearly your new allies have had a significant influence on you, and, I dare say, a good one." She put her arm around Tessa's shoulder. "You're fortunate to have met such wonderful people."

"But these ones are even better, because we did meet many others that aren't as kind or sympathetic," Tessa agreed. "And they don't just specialize in one field, either! Not like we specialize in medicine, or technical fields, combat and the like. I know that we, the Korashe, are all trained in combat to a degree, but it goes beyond that. All of the 'officers', consider them the priests and priestesses of the United Federation of Planets, are specialized, yes, but each of them has some basic knowledge of all of their fields, up to and including to the level of First Class of them in most cases."

"How very interesting," Sera said, curious as to how they could accomplish that with only so much time in the day.

"Just as an example, mutra? Henry, the one I was telling you is the head nurse?" Tessa's voice grew slightly more perky, "He also taught me a strategy game they called 'Chess'. Clearly a war game and while he only claims to be a novice at it, he's actually quite good! And he's also somewhat of a historian and can fix things that break on the ship, if it's not too complicated." She smiled broadly, "He's not that good in actual combat skills, but not everyone can do everything, and he picked up the dancing I was showing him and showed me some others as well..." Tessa kept going on.

Sera listened attentively to her daughter's happy prattling. Whatever initial concerns she had she could put aside for now. She did, however, feel a need to meet this young man Tessa seemed impressed with. Clearly he was due a commendation for his protection of her daughter and his part in her return home. For the moment, however, she took solace in having her daughter at her side, and the knowledge that life was now returning to normal.