To the Mountains (backpost)

Posted on Thu Feb 5th, 2026 @ 9:31pm by Lieutenant Commander Alexander Espersen & Petty Officer 2nd Class Bradley Sharpe & Captain Natalya Markova

Mission: A Princess Of Tial
Location: Tial
Timeline: After "Another Archaeological Expedition"

The shuttle set down as smoothly as could be expected (which was not very much, given the circumstances) where they were instructed, the Light’s End Courtyard. As they'd entered Tial's atmosphere, the engines began to run at a higher pitch as they drew more power from the reaction and the power levels were already visibly dropping.

As the shuttle’s aft ramp lowered, Alexander Espersen looked over his kit. Sidearm was useful only for throwing. Tricorder equally useless. The communicator worked, but he could tell that its little power core was struggling.

All of this was to be expected, however. Which is why he went analog. Ensign Delacroix’s keen eye and intellect could probably ascertain much about the civilization from visible traits. Petty Officer Sharpe brought a kit of reagents and magnets down with him to analyze rock formations. His kit also contained some basic engineering tools with which Alex himself was proficient. And as for security? No matter who the Tialans aside, he trusted nobody to be more lethal without a weapon than Captain Markova.

"You ready?" Alex asked, looking pointedly at Nat.

Nat couldn't help the self-satisfied smile. Fprest camo BDU's, the silver insignia on her collar, and her choice of weapon. Thirty-six inches of polished blade. A long, two-handed hilt, with a solid pommel. It wasn't built for power, but it was built for purpose. The split throat on the scabbard allowed her to more easily complete a back draw. The brunette hair, tied into a perfect braid, completed the look.

"When is a Marine not ready?"

They approached the ramp, Minerva standing up front next to Alex, so the two highest class party members — one by genetics, the other by merit, apparently — would be greeted first. Sharpe and Markova were behind, kept safe and keeping safe.

Alex addressed the welcome party. “Greetings from the Federation Starship Chimera. I am First Officer Alexander Espersen. I understand we are expected?”

The group that was awaiting them at the was made up of blondes dressed in looser robes that were clearly not for going into combat, though there were outlines of weapons underneath them that were clear to see, the exception being a single armed and armored Tialan that had four chevrons under his cheekbones and was clearly there for the purposes of security. Of the three others, two had the backs of the hands and left side of the face behind the eyeline and neck were tattooed with swirls and whirls of varying shades of colors and boldness to each of them, though the designs were basically identical in motif. The one whose were most bold and intricate stepped forward, her face bright with interest and excitement at meeting someone else from beyond the stars, "You are indeed, Lord Espersen." She stated firmly, "I am Bria'e'Velta Norath, Priestess Sixth Class of Lind'a'Torrel, the lead historian of Light's End." She gestured to the male next to her, "And this is Caven'e'Braxt Davel, Priest Sixth Class of Skull'a'Dea, the lead engineer of Light's End." He gave a slight bow to Alex in response to the introduction, "We are here to make your stay more pleasant and to guide you as you desire."

“You have my thanks,” he responded. “Ensign Minerva Delacroix, archaeologist. Captain Natalya Markova, Marine Commanding Officer, and Petty Officer Bradley Sharpe, chemist.” He gestured to each as he spoke. “I would like to see my Captain, and then examine a topographical map, if I could.”

"That can be arranged, My Lord." The historian said, gesturing towards the primary castle area, "If you'll follow me. We are along the coastline here at Light's End, if you were unable to see it on the your trip from orbit, with the cliff overhanging about a hundred meters. We have a large forested area off to the west and the Skyfire mountains north of here about forty kilometers. They're so named for the hue of the rock formations, as if they have been set on fire, especially in the dawn and at dusk."

"After seeing our Captain, we would very much like to see these Skyfire mountains then," Alex said. "Please guide the way, and we'll fall in."

"Of course, My Lord." Bria inclined her head, "It'll just be a short journey, no more than fifteen minutes." She began to lead the group of officers, starting to describe what they were walking past, locations, the histories of the same. She mostly addressed Minerva, the lanky blonde walking up next to her and paying attention, asking a question here and there.

As they walked through the Light's End compound, Alex moved close to Nat, further from the security swordsman. "So what do you think of all this?"

Nat's eyes never stayed in one place too long as she played the role - following, watching, protecting. Her scabbard hung across her back - the tip at her right hip, the hilt of the sword extending past her left shoulder. "You know..." The smile was half enjoyment. "I kind of like it here."

“I thought you might,” Alex replied, smirking. “You know, I’m not sure if I hope you don’t need to use that thing,” he said, gesturing to the weapon across her back, “or if I hope you do need to, just so I can see it.”

Nat couldn't help a smirk cross her face. "Always be careful what you wish for, Commander."

As it was, Cally had seen them coming and she started up the pathway as she did, giving a wave to Minerva, still chattering away with the local before passing on towards Nat and Alex, “It doesn’t really disappoint, in my opinion.” She grinned as she kept one hand on the sword at her side to keep it from flopping around, “Nice people overall.”

That comment made Nat arch an eyebrow. "Hmm, yes. Nice enough that even the Captain feels the need to be armed."

“This? Oh no, the Four know I don’t know how to actually use this!” Calypso laughed, “It was insisted upon that I wear it, just like Ensign Delacroix, Lieutenant Kellerman, any blondes that come down here. Them’s the rules, apparently, because despite what you see, the general population are primarily like you, brunettes, but without weapons constantly. Special exceptions are made for some of them, plus for more senior officers from the ship like the two of you. Rank hath its privileges and with the Korashe, the blondes, who make up the leadership of the planet being outnumbered by around a hundred to one, this was their solution to general revolt. According to Her Grace, it’s perfectly safe down here for us to be unarmed, but… Tradition.”

Perfectly safe. Nat was starting to get that itch in her back. Sometimes, something was too good. That was when life a way to punch you on the nose. "So, out of curiosity." Her tone was flat, as if she already knew the answer. "Out of our little band. How many know how to use one of these?" She gestured at Cally's hip.

“Not I, said the Captain.” Glancing over at Minerva and her companions, “I bet they have some knowledge, but only that one with the two marks under his cheeks would be considered to be any good at it. What about the two of you?”

“Suffice it to say that I’m glad to have better trained people than I in charge of defense,” Alex said. “Anyway, Captain, we’re being escorted shortly to the Skyfire Mountains. Hopefully we’ll be able to solve some of this planet’s mysteries.”

"I wish I could join you all, but I'm going to have to head back to the ship in a bit. I see a lot of shuttle trips in my future, unless you wanted to be the go-between?" Cally gave him a hopeful look, "It comes with a couple of perks, I'm sure!"

"I'm sure," he agreed. "But we're good here for now. See you later, Captain."

And with that, the expedition toward the Skyfire Mountains began....


END

Captain Calypso Skyie
Commanding Officer

Lieutenant Commander Alexander Espersen
Executive Officer

Captain Natalya Markova
Marine Detachment CO

Ensign Minerva Delacroix
Alien Archaeologist/Anthropologist

Petty Officer 2nd Class Bradley Sharpe
Chemist