Chief
Kyman’s personal log, Stardate 49748.5:
The years spent here at DS9 are coming to an end. Although fulfilling,
they have not provided the answers I hoped I would find. I have received orders to a new ship, this
time a ‘real’ ship not just some science vessel or runabout. The Dauntless commissioning is approaching...
Kyman
out.
Space, The final frontier...
These are the voyages of the
starship Dauntless.
Her five-year mission:
To Seek, To Chart, To Explore,
Slipping the surly bonds of Earth
going where none have been before!
Star Trek:
Dauntless
“O’ Captain,
What Captain?” By Jeff Sloan
The
space station hummed with activity, excitement and anticipation in preparation
for the commissioning of the new Intrepid-class starship Dauntless. With the loss of Voyager
there was also a solemn feeling of hope for the new crew.
“Kyman,
it’s going to be different around here when you go.”
“Why,
O’Brien, Can’t handle things on your own?” whipped Chief Kyman to his friend
Chief O’Brien.
“Oh,
we’ll manage just fine here. I’ve had my share of racing through the stars.
That sort of thing is better left to the unattached.”
“Yeah,
guess you’re right. This place is getting a little too ‘homey’ for me. It’s
time I left.” With that, they parted company and Kyman paused at the news that
the
* * *
A
few days later-
“Guinan!”
“Pono!”
replied the dark skinned El-Aurian and old acquaintance.
“Just
Kyman, please. No one has called me Pono in almost a decade.” It still struck home
hearing the name only his parents and closest friends used.
“How
have you been, my friend?” queried Guinan sincerely.
“Well. And you?” returned Kyman. Neither of the two
had seen each other since departing the
Enterprise-B so long ago.
“I’ve
managed fine. My time aboard the
Enterprises has been useful, enjoyable and somewhat helpful. Now, I have to
find something new. Starfleet has removed civilians from dangerous missions and, of course, that means the
“Sorry
to here that, my friend. I’ve had a fulfilling time here at DS9. Maybe you can find a star base or
something to fill the void.” The two El Aurian friends continued talking for
much of the day as Chief Kyman showed Guinan about the station.
* * *
Since
he had not officially reported aboard, Kyman remained in the background of
festivities at the commissioning. He found himself looking over the crew, much
as a father, and realizing how young most of them were. He had heard some about
the senior staff, tho’ he had not yet met most of them, including the CO. He had heard that he, too, was young, one of
Starfleet’s youngest captain’s ever, but sensed a kind of ‘oldness’ about him
that he could not quite identify. Kyman would wait, knowing he would have
plenty of time to find out firsthand.
* * *
“Senior
Enlisted Advisor, Master Chief P.R. Kyman, reporting as ordered, Sir,” Kyman
chimed as he stepped off the transporter pad.
A sense of Deja’vu filled him as he glanced around.
“Welcome
aboard, Chief,” answered the lieutenant, there to greet him. “Most enlisted
don’t have their own cabin, but the Captain insisted his Senior Enlisted
Advisor, or
“
Kyman
knew this would be an interesting tour if the CO used such an old term in
referencing his Chief...of the Boat.
* * *
The
crew is finally in place. I have met most but not all of them. Still haven’t met with the CO or XO, due
today.
Kyman
out
Kyman’s
Personal log:
I’ve
made my cabin home. Still unsure what lies ahead, but I have the underlying
feeling it won’t be ordinary.
Kyman
out
* * *
“Look!”
said the young boy as he pointed at the deer emerging from the dense bush.
“Yes,
son, one of the creators many gifts”, said Raven to his eldest, “we must take
care of all life, for it is precious.”
...Just
then the door chime brought reality back to Chief Kyman. “Come.”
“Am
I interrupting anything?” asked Lt Commander Kane.
“No,
not really. I was just reminiscing and getting acquainted with my
surroundings.” Kyman had still not looked at the man who had entered his mostly
Native American adorned cabin. In the center of the room lay a pelt upon which
rested a stone, a carved figurine, a flute, a small pouch, and some dirt. The
room was dimly lit, the equivalent of candle and star light, while Native American
music filled the air. Kyman arose from his crossed-legged sitting position and
moved toward the door. “What can I do for you,” his surprise becoming apparent,
“Lieutenant Kane?!?”
“Lt
Commander now, actually,” replied the XO, rather calmly. “Several of the officers onboard were
involved in our recent time warp mission with the
“Time
warp? I had begun to suspect that Starfleet was involved over the years. The object the captain had in his pocket on
the
“It
happened only a short time ago for us, actually, around Stardate 49524.”
“Wow,
but for me it was almost 400 years ago. Well, sort of. What happened?”
“Now,
Chief, it’s all been classified by Starfleet. Need-to-know only. Let’s just say some things happen for a
reason to maintain the order of things and leave it at that. I’m a little
confused, myself, as to how you managed to remain relatively un-aged since then,”
replied Kane.
“XO,”
Kyman began, “it is even quite incredible to me. A few decades after the
Eugenics Wars, the other El-Aurians and I decided to return home. On the return
trip our ship was attacked by an energy field, then...,” Kyman stopped and stared
out into space.
“Then,
what?” asked Kane, with genuine concern.
“For
80 years I’ve tried to forget.”
“Forget
what, Chief?”
“The
Nexus, XO, the Nexus.” After a moment of silence, Kyman continued, “Have you
ever wondered what it would be like to be able to live your deepest desires and
dreams?”
Kane
studied Kyman’s facial expression.
“I
did live my dreams for 250 of your years, but time has no meaning there. You
just exist anyplace, anytime, anywhere.”
“Why
did you leave then?” queried Kane.
“I
didn’t leave by choice and a part of me has never left. XO, I don’t expect you
to fully understand this. Why, I don’t fully understand it, but I belong here
and now, in this reality. I tried for a long time to get back, and believe me
I’m not sure I could turn down an opportunity to return, if offered.”
With
an aire of concern, Kane paused, then spoke, “Chief, what brought you to the Dauntless?”
“Why,
XO, the transporter, of course!”, Kyman whipped to change the serious tone the
conversation had taken.
“Exec,
this is the Captain. Come to my Ready
Room,” the intercom interrupted.
“Kane
here. On my way, Skipper. Chief, we’ll talk again soon.”
“Yes,
XO, I’m sure we will.”
Kane
left and Kyman returned to the center of the room. As he carefully put away his
‘medicine bundle’ and changed into uniform, thoughts returned to him from ages
past. During his tour at DS9, Kyman
had seen the reports of the Enterprise-D’s
loss, Dr. Soran and the Nexus. He should have known Soran was still up to
something. He, more than the rest, was crazed into finding a way back. Kyman
also knew, somehow, that someday he, too, would face the Nexus again. Holodeck
simulations were no match for what the Nexus could offer and, no matter how he
tried, he could never really rid himself of the desire to return. But this ship
was now his world, and reality suited his life more than the past or even the
Nexus.
“CMO
to Mister Kyman.”
“Kyman
here,” he replied to the intercom. “And
that’s Chief Kyman or
“Oh,
very well, Chief Kyman, and please, it’s Sir Azriel. Wouldst thou perchance
have time to attend me in my office?”
“On
my way, Kyman out.”
As
he pressed his com-badge and started to leave his quarters, a combined sense of
gloom and bitter anger filled his very being. ‘No’, he thought to himself, ‘not
again, not yet.’
He
regained his composure before the door opened. And as he walked, he quietly
enjoyed the fact that being ‘
As
he entered sickbay, Sir Azriel greeted him, “Well met, Mist..., Chief Kyman!”
“Doc
Dourden? This is too much for coincidence. So, it’s Sir Azriel Dourden,
Starfleet Medical Officer?”
“At
your service, sir..., I mean Chief.”
“The
XO said it was all classified so I won’t beleaguer the point. Gee, it’s good to
see you again, Doc..., I mean Sir Azriel. This isn’t going to be easy.”
“Yes,
well, I should want to discuss the crew with you as we review your medical
records.”
“That
would be fine, Sir Azriel, anything in particular?”
“The
usual background as so I may maintain myself current on crew limitations.”
“I
assure you that I am in average condition for a middle aged El-Aurian, Doctor.”
“You
may speak in truth, yet in truth I have various documents...”
“Sir
Azriel, I appreciate the concern, but that was eighty years ago!”
“Yes,
I see, in other matters we do have a number of youthful crew members...”
* * *
As
the two men began discussing the crew, the Captain was thinking about the
message he had received when the XO joined him in his Ready Room.
“We’ve
been assigned to patrol the Neutral Zone, Exec, and I was wondering how the
newer members of the crew might react.”
“Skipper,”
started Kane, “though many of them are young, they are all well trained and
ready to serve. There are some that have, shall I say, talents that compliment
the ship and crew. Trust in their abilities and your own, Pete.”
“Thanks,
Virg, for your confidence. And, please keep me informed of any concerns.” With
that said, Captain Koester and Lt Commander Kane stepped out onto the Bridge.
As they walked, the XO began sharing his ideas on promoting crew unity.
* * *
From
Sickbay, Chief Kyman made his way down to Engineering. ‘Now this is an Engine
Room’, thought the excited one time engineer to himself, ‘and not a spot of oil
anywhere!’ Making his way around the panels, a young ensign tapped him on the
shoulder and asked, “Can I help you, Sir?”
Wheeling
around, Kyman responded indignantly, “First of all, don’t call me sir. And secondly I don’t need any help. I’m just
admiring the ship and checking on the crew. I’m the new
“The...
uh,
“Yes,
the Skipper seems to like referring to me as the
“
“It’s
O.K., Ensign, I don’t mean to sound harsh, but I am not, nor will I ever be an
officer. It’s personal,” smiled Kyman.
“Yeah,
sure(?),
“Well,
gotta go, but let me know if you ever need any help. I’ve been a pretty good
engineer in my day!”
* * *
Kyman
left Engineering with a spring in his step and a smile on his face. He entered
the turbolift and said, “Bridge.” Guess this was as good a time as any to meet
the CO. Something told him to expect the unexpected. And everything else about today had been.
As
the turbolift doors opened and Kyman stepped out and walked down to the Command
Chair, his knees suddenly felt like rubber. There in front of him, from out of
the past stood a very familiar face, but it couldn’t be, could it?
“Captain...Kirk?!?”
Return to 2372.
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