Longing

Posted on Thu Oct 31st, 2024 @ 5:51pm by Lieutenant Tracey Walker Jr

Mission: Starbase 364
Location: SB364
Timeline: Current

[SB 364 – Science Department]

Geneva was reviewing the little data that had managed to piece together about the aliens called ‘The Masters’. Since they only had passive scans shared with them from the Klingon ships that had destroyed the station, there was frustratingly little to go on. They knew that their scientific knowledge surpassed that possessed by the Federation, but beyond that, nothing.

She sighed and leaned back, rubbing her eyes, her mind slipping as exhaustion set in. Images of fields covered in snow came to her, and she longed for what she had lost. Her only memories of her time spent in the Matrix were of Faeyerjar, and a part of her…a substantial part of her if she was honest, clung to them.

She stood, intending to head for her quarters, but her feet somehow walked past them and before long, she found herself standing in front of one of the holodecks. She pressed the control panel but found that someone was already occupied it. To her surprise, the program that was running was called ‘Norse Village’. Intrigued, she pressed the command to open the doors, and was surprised that they opened.

She stepped out into a sun-drenched glade, spring grasses giving off that sweet aroma she remembered from her childhood. Insects of various types zipped around, and she found herself smiling. She heard the distinct sound of steel ringing on steel in the distance, and followed it.

Less than a league distant, she crested a small rise to find her childhood village spread out before her. She remembered it clearly, her family’s small house had been near the river over there.

The ringing sound came, predictably from the smithy, and she walked toward it. Rounding the corner, she found Trace working the forge, his hammer beating some long piece of metal. She cleared her throat.

Trace spun, surprised that anyone else would be there but smiled when he saw her.

“Beautiful as the day I met you.” He said, intending to dip the metal in the barrel next to him but unable to take his eyes off her.

“Computer,” she said, “Change outfit to match the period.” Her Starfleet uniform disappeared and was replaced by a maiden’s dress, her hair decorated with spring flowers. She smiled widely. “Good morn, my lord.” She said, instantly slipping back into the old way of speaking. “If it is not too forward of me, I was wondering if you would care to break your fast.”

Trace bowed deeply. “It would be my honor, my lady. Has your father given his permission for you to be out of the home this day?”

Geneva chuckled. “I am my own woman, my lord. And I choose to dine with the man I love. Who would stop me?”

Trace approached her, a hungry look in his eyes. A look that she had discovered in him in Faeyerjar, and a look that made her melt. “No one.” He said, taking her in his arms.

[Later – Holodeck]

The two of them lay under furs, the cool night air caressing their naked flesh. Trace turned toward her, his arm supporting his head as he lay on his side.

“I visited the counselor on the Starbase yesterday. She told me that I should work to forget about my fabricated life, and embrace reality. I mean, she wasn’t that blunt but that was the gist.” He said it softly, not wanting to spoil the moment.

Geneva was silent as she considered that, then spoke almost in a whisper. “She told me the same thing. But…” she turned on her side to face him. “I don’t want to. In some ways, this life we lived together in that simulation was more real than our actual lives.”

Trace nodded. “I’ve been going through the motions, but longing to return here.” He said. “I want to spend as much time here as possible.”

Geneva smiled, “Same here.” She said. “Maybe…for now, we come here after work, you know, in our recreation time.”

Trace reached out and caressed her shoulder, running his hand down her arm. “I love you.” He said softly. His blacksmith’s hands were rough on her smooth skin, and not unpleasant in a thrilling sort of way. “I want to spend as much time as I can here, with you.” He was silent for several moments.

“Geneva Thorne,” he whispered, and she found her heart beating frantically in her chest.

“Yes?” She whispered, barely able to contain her excitement.

“Will you marry me?” He asked, his eyes locked with hers.

Tears came to her eyes, as she tried to blink them away. “Yes.” She said, “I will.” And she kissed him so hard she thought she’d draw blood.

Off:

Lieutenant Tracey Walker
Chief Engineer
USS Chuck Norris

 

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