A Wonderous Place? Part 1

Posted on 08 Apr 2022 @ 7:31pm by Lieutenant Commander Remington Dodd & Lieutenant Lamia ‘Mia’ Kildare & Lieutenant Leland Hawksley & Captain Mazal Falk
Edited on on 01 May 2022 @ 2:23pm

4,922 words; about a 25 minute read

Mission: S03 Ep 04 Captive State Part 1 (Main)
Location: Planet 569701-D or Arth as known to the inhabitants
Timeline: During the current Mission

[ON]

The away team broke down into three smaller teams.

Falk took lead on one of them. She took Arderne and Hawksley to search for survivors and if they found technology along the way they would make it inert or remove it as best they could.

Mazal led the way towards town, it was a bit of a walk, maybe about 8 kilometres from what she figured, from the duck blind. She found it interesting that there weren't any independent motorized vehicles utilized by individuals. Just busses and bicycles as well as wagon carts with which to transport goods. Well, that was all she'd seen for the time being. The road had a gentle incline to a small hill then it even out to an easier walk.

Mazal was also enjoying the fresh air and natural sunlight. She felt rather invigorated once again, Mazal having a warm smile. Sure this was a mission of great importance, but, can't ignore the fact there wasn't tainted air.

Looking at the two with her, Leland and Lamia, Mazal asked. "How are the two of you doing? Would you like to take a brief moment to have a rest or wait until we get to the town?"

Lamia was enjoying the walk now that she’d adjusted to the sudden influx of chaotic thoughts. “I’m fine, actually I’m enjoying the walk.” She looked toward Leland to see what he had to say.

Leland replied with a pleasant smile to Mazal and Lamia. Hawk enjoyed being on an away mission with them both. “I’m good.” The sun on his face. “I don’t mind the walk.” He quipped. “Just wish had my continued up the gentle incline of the hill towards the small town.

Hawksley’s brown eyes searched the horizon as the team had crested. He stopped for a moment to take in the scene before them. The village was, well. It was developed to an extent.

“Counsellor. Would you be able to sense any survivors if we’re close enough in the village?” Hawksley thought the question valid. He felt more secure knowing that the XO had her blade skills, he had heard she was very talented!

Lamia shrugged her shoulders as she looked at Leland. “Maybe, but I’m getting so much input here it’s all a gigantic jumble at the moment.”

Mazal looked over at Lamia. "A lot of thoughts you are not used to sense? That almost sounds like a mental white noise. Are you going to be alright?"

Unknown to the trio, there was a small swarm of dragonflies nearby. One of which was similar to a drone spotted by others earlier. Someone was watching and tracking the members of the away team.

Leland felt his hinky senses rise. The hairs stood on the back of his neck. Turning he glanced skyward, the alien atmosphere rather pleasant... But something was off.

"I'm starting to feel a bit uneasy." Lt. Hawksley stated. Underneath, he tucked his hand blade holstered, protected. Type II phaser and federation stunners. As he walked down the hill, along with the team leader, 2 nd Lt. Falk in lead, and Lt. Arderne.

“I know the feeling” Lamia nodded. “It feels like eyes are watching us from every direction, though I doubt they are. None of this place’s natives would be suspicious of us.”

Listening to Hawksley and Lamia it hit Mazal, as to the information that she and Chris had found out in their scouting mission. "Don't act like you are doing so, but look for dragonflies and see if there are some around us. I just recalled that Chris and I had been observed by a drone which looks like a dragonfly. I don't know if it has the capability of hearing us, maybe only observation. " Mazal feeling a cold chill.

As they continued, Mazal took a look upwards towards the sun's position, just to figure out what time it was. "I don't know about you but I am getting hungry. We may need to stop somewhere to have lunch. What do you think? And we do need to check out that place to maybe see if there is some technical stuff that shouldn't be there. Maybe get some water from their well?" pointing towards a cottage that had a well in its front yard.

Having received orders to watch for dragonflies. Leland regarded Mazal curiously. It made no sense to Leland. Unless it was considered a technology developed with the help of federation sources.

Hawk lent his eyes to the foundation of the deck as Falk and Arderne walked it. Nothing suspicious, no signs of energy sources, connections to links, or communication lines to the buildings.

Lamia nodded. “Sounds good to me, hopefully, we’ll be able to gain some information that may come in useful.”

As they neared the cottage which had a wrap-around porch, Mazal looked around to see if they could spot anyone, Mazal walked onto the porch, rapped on the door also taking a casual look in through the open window. The blue gingham curtains that were open, moved gently in the light breeze. Her nose caught the scent of freshly baked pie, and she smiled. It was a mixed berry pie.

"Hello excuse me, anyone, here?"

Entering the structure, Hawk entered ensuring that Mazal was with them. Inside it smelled like. “No way.” Leland couldn’t help but let his nose sniff the familiar scent that had filled the air.

“Anyone home?” Leland had called out, listening as he stood silent, watching for Falk and Arderne’s reactions to anything.

Lamia smiled. "What a lovely home, that pie smells divine!" she looked around. "Maybe they're out back?"

From the other side of a small garden which included a tall stalky plant similar in appearance to corn, watched a young farmer and his wife. This young couple had been tending their garden when they heard the strangers come upon the house.

After a few moments, the young farmer instructed his pregnant wife to wait behind the corn like plants as he approached the strangers. Holding firmly to his pitchfork, he appeared through the stalks and addressed the strangers.

"Goes who on my lot?" the young man stated. He was about six feet tall and with about two hundred pounds of firm muscle. His ginger hair peeked out from his hat. He was only wearing overalls with only one side fastened over his left shoulder and boots so his sweaty muscular arms and chest were glistening in the sun's light. However, he kept a firm grip on his pitchfork. He got to the centre of the garden and repeated his statement.

"Goes who on my lot?" Granger stated once again to the three strangers. These strangers were not country folk in appearance to Granger and his wife as they were dressed like city people so that could mean they were there to inspect the land and if needed take in taxes or such.

Lamia looked at the somewhat worried man, no doubt defending the person she could sense nearby. “We are ... strangers to these parts, we come in peace.” She offered a warm smile. “We won’t hurt you.”

Granger smiled in reply to Arderne's smile. But he was hesitant to reveal he was not alone.

"On Lot, why here you?" Granger asked clearly whether his English was not native or the universal translator was not correcting his grammar. "Inspection not for dre und zvanid days." The buff man then squeezed his hand tighter around his pitchfork as the veins in his biceps started to pop up.

“We ... we’re not here to inspect. We saw your lovely home, and came to ask if you could spare us some water?” She motioned to the sun in the sky. “It’s very hot!”

"Wah tur, is what wah tur?" Granger replied. The language here was similar to Earth but not exactly. The Universal Translator could interpret words but not the meanings.

"Heat is hard this day. Like the taste of some goddess' tears?" Granger stated as he offered the group a large jug of water. Then he motioned for his wife to join them. From the stalks, appeared a ginger-haired maiden who was very pregnant. She also appeared to be very young.

Lamia nodded. “Goddess’ tears, yes please.” She poured out some of the offered water. How long before your baby ...?” She motioned at the young woman’s very rounded stomach.

Leland watched as Granger spoke. He was a large man. Hawksley himself would have a good tussle. If most of the villagers were like Granger, they had best communicate well. Leland shut up and held a gaze. It was hot. He waited and then took a drink with Falk and Ardene casual and curious when the baby and Ginger entered.

“Commander,” Hawksley spoke quietly… “My backpack. It has energy bars. Left lower pocket. It would be neighbourly to Granger and Ginger, his lot.” Hawk hinted to Arderne at his backpack with energy bars, he smiled.

But he didn’t want to overstep what communication they had in mind. Leland stood there, thumbing his backpack straps out front, tall, but on guard for Mazal and Ardene.

Maza had been keeping watch but her stance was in a relaxed manner. She took a drink of the goddess's tears, "Thank you." she replied. She also scanned the area for dragonflies but also looked at the crops. Then Mazal smiled. "We do not collect taxes as she said." indicating Lamia. "And you have a good crop here" noting the robust nature of what appeared to be corn.

Mazal caught sight of what looked to be a dragonfly but it seemed more delicate. It reminded her of the cousin of a dragonfly, the damselfly. The one which ate mosquitoes. She watched as it winged its way between them and the people whom they were talking to, and then it went away.

Mazal waited for the answer to the question that Lamia had asked, as she was curious about when the baby would be due.

Hawksley gazed at Ginger and Granger a bit amused. He chuckled. “Good work, Granger.” Leland with thoughts of his child with Lilli. He smiled inside, his eyes watching the couple.

Mazal found herself looking at their muscles of Granger, muscles from hard work out in the field, then her eyes wandered towards Hawksley, getting a good view of him as well. The clothing he wore looked rather good on him and his physique... Mazal decided to put her mind somewhere else. She didn't need to let her mind drift to another time and place. When they had first met. She had to keep her mind on the here and now.

Ginger and Granger were attempting to be good hosts to these three new people. But Ginger was not feeling too well and took a seat in a chair on the porch of their house. She was due for her baby but the time was about two weeks early.

Granger noticed that Falk was eyeing him over and even though he was with Ginger, he was eyeing her over as well. Granger was also thinking about why Hawksley would be the only man on the trek to the city as most women did not typically make such a trek on foot. However, Granger himself admired the two lovely ladies that were visiting. Then he heard Ginger make a groan and he saw her in pain. He rushed to the porch and noticed her water had broken.

"Okay, you will be," Granger stated to Ginger. "Do doctor help any of thee?" Granger then asked of the three visitors to his farm.

As Granger helped Ginger to the shade of the porch, Leland slashed some brush nearby close to the line of Granger and Gingers' lot. Satisfied he had a palm of size for a fan.

Hawksley decided it would do good to cool off Ginger.

That split moment, before Leland turned to the farmhouse, a shiny object tiny out on the blue sun-drenched Arth horizon.

A hand to his forehead, Leland's artificial eye closely scanned and zoomed. It looked to be... "A drone?" On Arth. A crate was attached to it. What, and where?

Leland began to cool down Ginger, taking a knee beside the pregnant Arth farmer, humanoid. Hawksley eyed Granger, and then Falk as he attended.

"Lieutenant. I recorded with my eye a drone. It had a payload. It was around 400 meters up... Due south westerly."

Mazal gave Leland a sharp look when he quietly whispered to her, "Those are interesting dragonflies you had seen Leland." she looked at the woman who was in the process of labour pains, "We've got something happening here. Mia what do you need for us to get, to help the lady? Water, some towels, blankets?" she also looked towards Granger to see how he was reacting.

Lamia had suddenly found herself thrust into the place of Midwife for Ginger, she’d never delivered a baby before but she’d seen it done and had taken the necessary medical classes. “Err .. right, yes I need warm water, towels, and some old blankets or sheets that you don’t mind losing. We’ll also need a sterilised blade and peg.”

Mazal had blades aplenty, and she had something to help sterilize the knife, there was a fire going and she pulled out her knife and ran the blade into the fire then she pulled out a flask which held alcohol to finish the sterilization process. She walked over to Mia and handed the blade to her hilt first. "This should do you well."

She looked around then saw something that would work for a peg, "I saw some water on the stove simmering away, that should do." Mazal called out. Her keen dark eyes looking about then landed upon some freshly folded linens. "This would do nicely." She remarked. "Leland, would you care to get that bowl and fill it with water for Mia?"

Mazal looked back at Granger, "It's going to be alright." assuring the man whose baby was going to be born.

~ Several hours later ~

As labour went Ginger had spent several hours in labour before her baby made its appearance into the world. “Congratulations you have a son!” Lamia smiled somewhat teary-eyed at the marvel of helping deliver Ginger & Granger’s son. Cutting the cord and clamping it she quickly wrapped the little one in a warm blanket and handed him to his mother.

Leland stood back. Half witnessing a miracle of an alien birth for his first time, let alone a rather human inspiring one in itself. These were good people of good stock.

Having held a visual scan on the horizon, Hawksley felt a bit amateur for having had spoken a bit out of... Well, he excited told Falk, before she gently reminded him of where and when they indeed were on Aerth.

Hawksley had set up a scout-style line and draped the woven linen-like fabric above both Ginger and Granger. Held it, until they could move Ginger into the coolness of the house.

As he did, Hawksley lent his attention momentarily, thoughtful, to both Granger and then his Son or Daughter?'... Hawksley wasn't too sure about that since it was not his alien child. At that age... It will change Ginger, Granger's world.

"Much gratitude for your assistance. Gaston will forever be in your debt. We would also forever be in your debt for helping bring Gaston forth into the open world." Granger stated to Arderne and the others. "Now we need to celebrate the cleansing ritual for accepting a new life in the fold. You, mister, will come with me and the womenfolk will do the child. We have our ritual to perform."

Granger then led Hawksley out of the house via the read door. and let him to a strange shed in the back of the property. "You must remove your coverings and enter the door, I will follow you in." And then Granger began removing his clothing.

With a gentle nod, Leland followed. He was a hulking gentle giant, one that would harm nobody, unless provoked. Same for Leland. Having once knocked another male over the table of the mess hall. Well... That was another memory. He could save for himself... He smiled, hiding his caution as he followed. "I. Honoured, Granger. Me and you." He used his hands to communicate. "We will honour the birthing." Hawk smiled.

As labour went Ginger had spent several hours in labour before her baby made its appearance into the world. “Congratulations you have a son!” Lamia smiled somewhat teary-eyed at the marvel of helping deliver Ginger & Granger’s son. Cutting the cord and clamping it she quickly wrapped the little one in a warm blanket and handed him to his mother.

"Much gratitude for your assistance. Gaston will forever be in your debt. We would also forever be in your debt for helping bring Gaston forth into the open world." Granger stated to Arderne and the others. "Now we need to celebrate the cleansing ritual for accepting a new life in the fold. You, mister, will come with me and the womenfolk will do the child. We have our ritual to perform."

Granger then led Hawksley out of the house via the read door. and let him to a strange shed in the back of the property. "You must remove your coverings and enter the door, I will follow you in." And then Granger began removing his clothing.

In the spirit of Starfleet, Leland lent a smile. While he furrowed his brow curiously, there was no way he would turn down Granger’s important-sounding request at least his heavy grey shirt. Hawk didn’t need to think twice since it was getting a bit damp in the Aerth hot sunny weather. He leaned his head in the shed a bit, just a tad... If this were Granger’s woodworking skills, then he’d best brush up. The walls looked like maple. But the shed was dark inside... looked newly crafted. Wooden materials. Clunky and Mennonite-style furnishings.

Meanwhile back a the house, Ginger was holding the baby and then removed the swaddling that was wrapped around him and exposed him to the full site of Falk and Arderne. "We now must perform the cleansing ritual. We need to go out to the pond and submerge our bodies and the that of the baby in the waters to make him and us one with Arth. As the matriarchal witnesses, you are now a part of this and must join me.

Lamia looked at Falk. “When in Rome ...” she offered Ginger a nod. “Of course, we will join you.”

Mazal had a slightly worried expression, she was there to also protect her companions, Leland she knew, could take care of himself. After she thought it over, due to them needing to blend in, Mazal nodded.

Back at the shed in the backyard, Granger nakedly followed a naked Hawksley into a dark shed. Once inside, Granger then took Leland's hand and pulled him down decline into what felt like icy cold water. "You must not speak from this point on until I specifically advise you, you are the witness of new life and I need you to partake as the only other man present at my son's emergence." Granger then led Leland into the liquid up to his chin and let go of his hand.

This liquid was not water but a mix of biological fluids emitted by the environment and collected here in what ancient Earthlings may call a fruit cellar or such. Only here do they collect the fluids that came from living on the planet and used them to cleanse them from the old and allowed them to accept the new but only males did this ritual. Within this fluid was a species of eel that would swim around the naked men as they stood up to chins in the dark. But as the eels gleamed against Leland or Granger, they would bio-illuminate and create an amazing light show. Granger was chanting to the goddess to endow him with the gift to give new life once again.

Hawksley was quiet. This was a new experience for him. Aerth and Granger were proving to be more surreal, ever since setting both to Earth… Or Earth! Mazal and Arderne witnessing a birthing! His pupils focused into the darkness of the room; the cool water was nice. However, Leland’s mouth had dropped open, as he had glanced down into the Aerth biomass of juices. It was fruity smelling. Sweet, perhaps a style of wine?

Hawk opened his eyes after taking a breath and relaxing in the liquid. Believing Granger would not place himself into needless danger, especially now he was a father! Darkness then lit.

Hawk's face glowed a warm white as Eels. A literal wall of eels started to glimmer and now release themselves from the tank side. In his head, he swallowed, oO Oh Hawk!! Hawk!!! Where’s Nanook when you need him?! Oo His canine companion on the Tomcat would get a kick out of this!

Back at the pond, Ginger is now naked and holding Gaston like how Mufasa held Simba in the Lion King when he was presented to the subjects. She then turned and handed Gaston to Arderne to hold until she could get in the pond. "Now young maiden you must join me in the waters and must be uncovered to do so." Ginger started to Falk. "Then you, my birth maiden, the one who helped emerge Gaston from within me would give him to her and then also join us in the waters uncovered.

Mazal stripped-down, placing her clothing within easy reach, the marine XO didn't truly need to have weapons to defend or even to kill. She has finely honed it into a weapon herself. She joined Ginger in the water feeling the mixture of the warmth where the sun-kissed it to the cold crispness of the water beneath the surface.

For Lamia nakedness wasn’t an issue, her Betazoid side was used to it. She waited until Falk had joined Ginger in the waters, handing over Gaston she stripped naked before slowly joining both Ginger and Falk in the waters.

There were no tattoos on Mazal's body, though there were faint traces of scars that had been healed, just a shadow of what has happened in her life. Mazal gazed at the baby Gaston and wondered just what was going on with Leland and Granger.

Back in the Shed… Granger had just incanted a hum. It wasn’t annoying, it was a hum of the devotion of emotions Leland could sense. Not in the way a Betazoid might, but he felt the emotions from Granger. The male of hearty stock certainly had worked on a farm. Suffice to say, Leland had felt at his equal as a glance into the lighted tank showed more than Eels.

He paused with his eyes closed, humming. He held his forearms outward in the tank allowing the glow of the scene, almost godly in its divinity. The Eels have an important part, energy! Of their culture. The electric glow. Granger a new father, him too! Soon enough as a wash of excitement fluttered Leland.

Yet he only met Granger and Ginger for a few hours now as Mazal and Arderne agreed to follow. Hawk kept his communicator to his side of his shorts and shirt of the tank. He could easily first poor Granger if he had got into his way for some reason. The chanting from Granger then stopped. Silence…

Once Granger when silent the eels' bioluminescence saturated the liquid and radiated to fill the room. Temporary light blindness followed for both men and at that moment there was suddenly a rapid change in the temperature of the liquid. It was very cool and not like a hot tub. The eels had then returned to the depths they emerged and Granger was now speaking. "You honour me by witnessing my son's emergence. Please now remain here for a sign of when your planting cycle will begin. When your sign is given, you may join me outside the shed." Granger then emerged from the liquid and exited the shed. This left Hawksley alone in the warm water in all his glory awaiting a sign for a cycle he knew nothing about.


Leland raised a brow. “Uh… Granger. Bud.” Hawk turned in the tank checking to see if he was indeed alone. Reaching aside, Leland flicked his fingers nearest his knife. In doing so, the blade had sliced a cut in his finger. The initial pain wore off; a clean slice, nothing he can’t suit himself. Not worth mentioning.

Breathing outward, Hawksley accepted the darkness now. oO Lilli would go nuts. Electric snakes! Hawksley snickered to himself. Oo He leaned his head back up. In an alternate life, Leland would love to have handled crafts work. “Granger himself probably built this place, wow.” He stated to an empty barn that hints of sun shone through cracks here and there—the summer-like warmth outside sneaking its barn board rays through casting the tank lightly.

Meanwhile, at the pond, Ginger was chanting the emergence blessing and dunking Gaston in and out of the water, yet the baby did not cry once. The baby merely cooed and giggled the whole time. Then Ginger handed the baby to Falk. "You have been chosen as the next to prepare for emergence. You will remain here as the rest of us exit the waters. You will then hold Gaston until you get your sign. Only then can you exit the water and present Gaston to his father."

Ginger motioned for Arderne to exit the water as she did. "You may cover and join me in preparing the new emergency meal." Ginger started to Arderne.

Lamia looked at Falk before nodding and following Ginger out of the water. She was grateful to get out of the water, as nice as it was. “I will be honoured to help you prepare the meal.”

Mazal watched as Lamia and Ginger headed back towards the house, not quite certain just what else to do. Mazal didn't like the team getting separated though, especially with the dragonfly observers that were around. With ease, balancing the babe in one arm she pulled on her swim bottoms, then she got her head into her swimsuit top. Grateful that 1980's style sort of clothing had stretched to them, she was able to accomplish that feat. As Ginger had said, Mazal didn't leave the water.

She went deeper to where the water lapped at her waist, keeping the baby safe in her arms. Also carefully tested the bottom with her feet. She could feel the mud at the bottom of the pool, and also felt like something had drifted along her ankle, like a fish.

Back outside the shed, Granger stood still completely naked waiting for Hawksley to emerge from within. Inside the shed, the liquid again changed temperature and the eels began to swarm around Hawksley. They were thought in the swarm and at one point would have almost formed a second skin to the young officer.

Leland couldn’t believe what he was witnessing. The emergence yet again, just moments after Granger had left him alone. The tank and him, and electric eels. oO Whoah! There….. Oo Leland had hopped a moment as some of the Eels were now intertwining him below. oO Oh, My God! What the hell is going on?! How do I….Oo Then the warmth started. Leland was still now as to not make a move! He didn’t want crotch zaps! How would he explain that o… oO Oh…. Ohhhhhhhh… What? Oo Leland breathed inward in a shock and then lent a pause, and then almost a quieted sedation flushed his chiselled face. oO, This… This is… the nature sign! Oo His face rested and turned into a big Leland grin.

After a few more minutes, Mazal had enough, they had a mission to perform and she needed to find out if people were survivors from the previous away team and she had to see about contacting the others. Mazal moved from the water, cradling the child in one arm carefully, walked to where the rest of her clothing was and picked those up as well, along with her backpack. She then strode to where the naked Granger was standing and then said. "Here is your son, take good care of him." handing Gaston over to the man.

Assuming that Leland was inside that small building, Mazal opened the door and stepped inside, "Leland, are you in here?" her body silhouetted by the light behind her. Mazal also wondered if Lamia could spot any tech in that simple cottage.

"You can't go in there, that is for Males only. The superior of the sex is not to contact the charging liquid. This is for males only. Please do not contaminate the ritual in progress." Granger stated as he took his son and watched in awe as Falk opened the door to the bio charging pool of manhood.

[OFF]

To be continued in Part 2.


Lieutenant Lamia Arderne
Chief Counsellor

Lieutenant Leland Hawksley
Deputy Chief Engineer

2nd Lieutenant Mazal Falk
Deputy Marine Commanding Officer

Ginger and Granger [NPCS: Dodd]

 

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