The End of The Hunt
Posted on Tue Jul 22nd, 2025 @ 4:54pm by Captain Marc Kidd & Commander Mariko Tao & Lieutenant Commander Corin Layal & Lieutenant Christopher Blake & Lieutenant Sarah Graesyn & Lieutenant Siadra Molaur & Lt JG Adalyn O'Rourke Ph.D. & Cassandra Frost & Captain Kiyoshi Shingoen & Senior Chief Petty Officer Dex Ravaro
Edited on on Tue Jul 22nd, 2025 @ 5:05pm
1,816 words; about a 9 minute read
Mission:
Episode 2 - The Sins of History
Location: Main Bridge - Deck 3 - USS Artemis
Timeline: MD014 0800 hrs
Marc sat in the center chair and went over status reports of the departments. It seemed like forever since he simply did the business of a Captain, and he found it welcoming. Seated next to him were his XO and Criminal Profiler. He thought to make sure the entire Senior Staff was on the bridge for this occasion.
Seated beside the captain, Adalyn quietly contemplated their approach to Bajor. In many ways, its people embodied why she had become a trauma therapist to begin with. Entire generations had lived with the Occupation, and its aftermath, and as much as the people still carried the scars from that awful time, they had also demonstrated the resilience and determination necessary to find purpose and joy in living despite the horror.
The Artemis came out of warp with barely more than a whispering hum. Chris was at the pilot console and his hands danced across the panel with the precision and grace of a ballet performance. Reacting to even his softest touch, the Artemis adjusted her course.
"Approaching Bajor. Establishing standard orbit, sir." Chris Blake said calmly as the lush planet seemed to grow and settle into a gentle roll. All tricks of perception as the Artemis took up its orbit and the automated systems took over.
Mariko sat with poised stillness beside the Captain, her hands neatly folded in her lap as the Artemis eased into orbit around Bajor. Her dark eyes lingered on the planet through the viewscreen, recalling the weight of its history and the delicate balance that diplomacy on its surface so often demanded. She inclined her head slightly towards the helm. “Well executed, Lieutenant,” she said softly. “A precise approach.” Then, glancing towards Captain Kidd, she added, “Orbital parameters are stable, systems holding. A promising start, if Bajor proves as calm below as it appears from above.”
Sarah was seated at the Engineering station; someplace that she rarely was located with the Artemis running day to day but she had left another on charge of main engineering for the approach. She kept an astute eye on the ships systems as the warp field fully faded away and she smiled; nodding to Chris herself. “All systems report normal ranges.”
Kiyoshi stood close to the tactical station. Technically, that wasn't his post, but no one else was there at the moment, so he took the liberty. He wasn't manning it either. There was no reason; Bajor wasn't exactly hostile territory. He was just there monitoring. He wasn't sure who, or what, he was supposed to be observing. He just felt a prickling at the back of his neck. Something that he couldn't resolve. So he stood there, his eyes cutting between the viewscreen and the station, watching for anything unusual
Seated at the science console, Siadra looked out upon the world of Bajor. They were heading in on the last leg of this journey. Vamcet being brought to trial. Her brow furrowed, remembering what had happened during the beginning. Losses, their gains. People leaving, new faces joining. Jonathan was going into a trial, locking horns with Layal, over Vamcet. But was it truly locking horns? Her gaze went towards the captain and also the others who were watching as the ship came in.
Right now, the voices of the hosts who usually had things to say, were quiet. Letting Siadra observe making mental notes. Siadra felt some relief as to this being the final moment, of having Vamcet being on the ship. Him being here made her stomach feel like a rock was settled inside, or rather as what humans would say, a lead balloon. Siadra noticed that her fingers were about to start drumming, she stopped them before they started. She felt her muscles tensing up so much that Keema finally spoke up.
Enough of that child, its almost over.When you get to Bajor, take some time and see the sights with new eyes.
Fiiiine Siadra retorted mentally.
And go visit a museum, I would like to know if they have new pieces there.Aadru piped up.
And see if there are other artists or even productions that have been created, I feel rather out of the loop. Jomod joined in.
Siadra simply and quietly agreed to the demands.
No matter how long she was away, or how far she traveled, Bajor would always be Layal's home, and there was something about coming back to it that always brought her a sense of peace. When the image of her home planet filled the viewscreen, she felt that usual pull toward the land, toward her people, her family. What was different about this visit was that she first had to fulfill her Starfleet duties, and her oath to them. And, while the Bajoran Government had submitted jurisdiction to the Federation, it wasn't so simple for the hearts and minds of the Bajoran people. Federation Law was certainly softer handed than Bajoran Law, particularly in the criminal realm. It was probably softer handed than these war crimes deserved. She hadn't really considered the difficulty of the push and pull of those emotions until this moment - as she stared at the planet, and imagined the homes, the families, the people down below.
Once the Artemis was in stable orbit Sarah stood, letting an ensign take the console and she stepped toward the back of the bridge before turning to watch the viewscreen herself. “It looks as though Bajor is well on its way to recovering from its past. Much improved from the last time I was here.”
"A tribute to the resiliency of its people Lieutenant." Marc said in response to Graesyn. "Ms Frost, hail the Bajoran parliament. Inform them of our arrival and let them know that the Gul's trial is scheduled to begin at 1000 hours. Also, request permission to send crew down to the planet for leave." He then turned to Mariko. "Well Commander if permission is granted let the crew know that in small teams they may go enjoy Bajoran hospitality. Please organize it."
Standing at her station, Cassie sent out the standard requests for shore leave as well as the specific message Captian Kidd requested to the Bajoran parlement. Waiting for the response, she used the ships passive sensors to conduct a quick scan of the other ships in orbit around them. Nothing too intrusive, just enough to identify any strange signatures.
After a few moments, The Artemis received a rather abrupt response from the Parlement, "Um, Captain. I have a response to our requests from a Minister Taro Holmes. He says we have permission for our crew to partake in shore leave; however he is limiting our people to the City of Bajor and only 10 people at a time. Should I send a response?"
Layal's brow furrowed at the unusual response from Bajor. "I wonder if some regions are experiencing unrest. Protests over the trial perhaps?" It was only a guess, she hadn't talked to her family for a couple of days.
"Only ten people at a time?" Siadra murmured quietly. "I wonder just what is up with that?" she mused quietly as to this stated of affair. What was going on to warrant this sort of decision.
Marc half smiled at the response for Holmes. "Give Minister Taro our thanks. I am sure the hasparat carts will love our money." He looked over at Corin. "You are most likely correct. Additionally you did not have the pleasure to meet minister Taro. Suffice to say is one where the past has soured his taste on outsiders. But, he also knows when he needs help and so here we are. Well lets see, standard orbit, trial set to begin. I think we may be on our way to one hum drum day. Commander you have the bridge." Marc stood and made his way to the Ready Room. In truth he wanted some peace and quiet before he would have to deal with all the requests for information about the Gul.
Mariko stood as the Captain vacated the chair, her crimson uniform trim against the soft glow of the bridge lighting. She stepped forward with composed precision, pausing at the centre of the command well to take in the viewscreen. Bajor filled the expanse—serene, but steeped in memory.
“Minister Taro’s response has been received,” she said evenly, her voice measured. “His restrictions are not unexpected. The presence of a war criminal may have stirred unrest—and the people’s grief often outpaces the law’s proceedings.”
She glanced over her shoulder towards the bridge crew. “Begin compiling a rota for shore leave—no more than ten at a time, as permitted. Prioritise those most in need of rest, but remind them: we are here as guests. Honour and restraint are to be observed at all times.”
Turning back to the screen, she added, “Maintain standard orbit. Passive scans only. Let us not give Bajor reason to second-guess our presence.”
With that, she lowered herself into the command chair, one leg crossing neatly over the other. The Artemis had brought them to the threshold of justice. Now, it was time to hold position—and hold composure.
A Joint Post By
Captain Marc Kidd
Commanding Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Commander Mariko Tao
Executive Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Christopher Blake
Chief Flight Control Officer, USS Artemis
Second Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Siadra Molaur
Chief Forensic Science Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Commander Corin Layal
Judge Advocate General, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Sarah Graesyn
Chief Engineering Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Junior Grade Adalyn O'Rourke
Ship's Counselor/Profiler, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Cassandra Frost
Chief Security/Tactical Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Captain Kiyoshi Shingoen
Prison Warden, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Senior Chief Petty Officer Dex Ravaro
Chief of the Boat, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
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