Striel and Ayla - Reunited
Posted on Mon Oct 6th, 2025 @ 4:21pm by Captain Rylan Gray & Lieutenant Tyler Malbrooke & Lieutenant Daegan Baas & Lieutenant Juliette Barnes & Lieutenant Patrick Ryan M.D. & Lieutenant Stormy Knight & Lieutenant Commander Harrison Knox
1,551 words; about a 8 minute read
Mission:
A Silence of Friends
Location: In Orbit Above Gurani III
No one had been pleased when Rylan Gray entered the Bridge, moving slowly toward his seat at the center of the Bridge, though he suspected it was more out of concern that any sort of dislike. Still, no matter his condition, he was the ship's Chief Diplomat and the situation at hand called for Diplomacy. He settled into his seat, with a tired sigh, and resolved to make this as short as he could. He wouldn't have been here now if the Bridge hadn't informed him of their approach to Gurani III. "Establish geosynchronous orbit," he ordered.
"Aye, Sir. Geosynchronous orbit established," the helmsman, who was smiling whenever he thought the Captain wasn't looking, said.
"Very good," Rylan answered. "Establish communications with Striel, if you will, Mr. Malbrooke."
Having made his decision to disregard medical advice, Captain Rylan had not arrived on the Bridge alone. Lieutenant Trynn, inwardly both curious to see how this situation was going to go but largely thankful to be out of a hazard suit and out of the immediate confines of medical for the first time in… well, a while. She found a spot out of the way which let her keep a watchful eye on her stubborn patient, medical tricorder taking constant readings.
Tyler maintained his neutral face even though he smiled internally. "Aye sir com channel is open." He tapped a few commands and a moment later he continued to speak. "The hail is acknowledged."
Stormy was pleased to see the captain back on the bridge. She was equally excited to be back at the planet where they could give Striel a report on their results with the antidote.
A few moments later, Doctor Ryan made his way up to the bridge. He walked over to where Trynn was standing. " I can monitor the Captain. You did a great job and I will be forever grateful but I think it's time for me to be back at work."
Ayryn arched an eyebrow but said nothing at first. After turning the tricorder on Ryan for a moment she handed over the device. “All yours, Doctor,” she conceded quietly, “good to have you back. Let’s agree to never do this again though. Agreed?”
Daegan was glad to see the Captain, though you could tell he was still not 100%, he looked away from the Captain when his panel chimed. "Captain their are three drones approaching. I'm not reading any active weapons nor are we being targeted...possibly some of Striel's sensor drones, maybe an escort."
Meanwhile, down in Main Engineering, Lieutenant Barnes had been listening in via the com system. Since it was protocol to keep the chief engineer in the loop, it was always opened as soon as anything of import was happening and apparently, the computer detecting drones had been enough to open the comma she could listen in.
Drones. Drones! It was as if their very presence had triggered a foggy memory for her. Combined with the data collected on the surface and what she’d learned from the communications array, her brain answered yer unbidden. “Barnes to the Bridge,” she said, tapping her comm badge.
"Bridge here," Rylan answered. It wasn't typical for him to answer a general call but this wasn't a typical time, was hit. "What do you have, Lieutenant?"
She blinked, somewhat surprised to hear the captain’s voice, but there was no time for pleasantries or questions. She shook her head as if to clear it and said, “it’s a security system. Striel, I mean. One of those planetary defense systems that tended to go overboard and attack the people it was supposed to defend. Be careful.” She wished she could remember the name of the planet that had built them, but history class was a long time ago and it had been knowledge she hadn’t used since then, so it had been long since forgotten.
"Understood. Thank you, Lieutenant. Bridge out," Rylan said. It had been in the back of his mind, another encounter with an AI, but the suddeness of his illness had prevented him doing the research.
Lieutenant Commander Harrison Knox was a career serviceman, from his very enlistment until recently, security and tactical were his domain. The Thunderbird had been his first true foray into command, and the first away mission he had lead had gone so cockeyed that he landed not in his feet gracefully, but on his ass bitterly. He had been pushed down to Second Officer and sent off ship for supplemental command training only to find himself thrown back onto the USS Thunderbird in an emergency situation as Acting Captain.
When he had received word that Captain Gray had not only been discharged from Sickbay, but was on his way up to the bridge there was no resentment. He was relieved that Rylan had pulled through and was on the mend, but concerned at his readiness. Still, if anyone was going to handle this situation diplomatically it was better it be in Captain Gray's hand than Knox's.
Knox exited onto the bridge from the starboard side and shook his head. "Security system is an understatement," commented Knox. "I stand relieved" said Knox on formality alone, but it was clear Rylan had returned and jumped into command as he should. The situation required his leadership and guidance. "If I may" he added gesturing to the vacant seat port side of the Captain's.
"USS Thunderbird," Striel's voice said. "Do not arm your weapons."
[On Gurani III]
The guardian, whose name was Ayla, entered the command center, somewhat breathless, having realized the situation and ran flat out from the landing pad. "Striel," she said in fluent Gurani. "Scan me."
"Scanning," Striel said. "Identified, Ayla N'Harani, council appointed Guardian of the People. What are your orders, Guardian?"
"Stop the countdown," Ayla said, "and return to normal operational mode. Display current situation." She stood in the front of the boards, watching, as Striel responded to her authority. "Return the cryogenic complex to operational status and send drones to my ship to begin unloading."
"As you command," Striel said bending himself to the tasks he'd been assigned. A small fleet of drones headed toward the Ark while other began restoring power to the Cryogenics Complex. Others headed to her home to begin restoring it to order as Striel ended his self-destruct sequence and displayed statistics on the boards for her perusal.
Ayla studied the board, shaking her head, "I'll review the logs later. For now, go to Standby Mode and open a channel to that ship. Translate for me, I do not speak their language."
[On Board the USS Thunderbird]
Rylan nodded absentmindedly as he returned his attention to the screen as Aya, the Guardian, appeared on screen, much as she had been seen by the away team. "Captain," she said, "I am Ayla N'Haransi, Speaker for the Gurani people. As long as you make no overt threat to my world, Striel will not attack. On this, you have my pledge."
Daegan's reading confirmed her statement, "Confirmed Captain. The approaching drones are standing down."
"And you have mine," Rylan said as he rose to his feet, willing himself to remain strong and firm. "My people have found the cure to the plague that spread through your world With your permission," he said as he gestured toward his Chief Medical Officer, "we can transfer what you need to ensure that no one on your world need ever fear this plague again."
Stormy smiled when she saw Ayla. Now everything would be okay, especially once the doctor sent down the cure.
As his Chief Medical Officer transferred the data and whatever else was needed, Rylan waited politely. On the planet, Striel's voice could be heard in the background. "Materials received. Beginning analysis."
Ayla turned her attention to the screen once more. "Thank you, Captain. You and your crew. You've saved a civilization, one that is millennia old. For now, I ask that you depart in peace. We have much to do."
"Would it be acceptable," Rylan asked, "if we return in, perhaps, six months, to check on you? To offer assistance if it turns out to be needed? It is the nature of my people, the Federation I represent, to render aid whenever we can. I can leave you with materials about our world so that you can study us for yourselves." Rylan turned away from the screen and said, "Begin transmission of diplomatic package."
"That would be acceptable," Ayla said. "Begin transmission."
[Short While Later]
"I have the information. The Gurani people thank you. And now, if you'll excuse me, I have work to do." She bowed slightly and the screen went dark momentarily.
"Set course for Earth," Rylan ordered. "Best possible speed. Commander Knox, you have the Bridge." With a curt nod to Knox, Rylan headed toward the turbolift. "If I'm needed, I'll be in my quarters."
Captain Rylan Gray
Commanding Officer
USS Thunderbird
Lt. Commander Harrison Knox
Second Officer
USS Thunderbird
Lieutenant Daegan Baas
Chief of Security
USS Thunderbird
Lieutenant Tyler Malbrooke
Chief of Operations
USS Thunderbird
Lieutenant Stormy Knight
Chief Science Officer
USS Thunderbird
Lieutenant Arynn Trynn, M.D.
Chief Counselor
USS Thunderbird
Lieutenant Patrick Ryan, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer
USS Thunderbird
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