[USS Charon, Bridge]
"Commodore please let me treat you." The young nurse held up a dermal generator "it won't take long, I promise."
"They say scars add character." Shiarrael smirked and sat down in her command chair "but it certainly doesn't add to appearance." The young nurse chuckled and leaned forward pressing a cold hand against Shiarrael's cheek. Using the dermal regenerator the nurse carefully circled it over the wound. When she finished the nurse stepped back.
"All done commodore."
"Thank you." Shiarrael stood up and rubbed two fingers across her cheek. A few crusted specks of blood fell away but the wound was gone. She smiled and looked over the bridge. Engineers were already busy repairing the main view screen and tattered consoles. "Are the transporters working?"
One of the Engineers stopped tinkering with the tactical console and turned around "yes ma'am, the transporter systems are operational."
"Good." Shiarrael looked at Shrishnar who was still sitting in the Executive Officer's chair "don't get comfortable Lieutenant but while you are warming that seat I'll leave you in Command for the moment. I am going to visit the planet and admire Calhoun's work."
"Commodore…" Shrishnar started.
"If you didn't want to be in this position Lieutenant you should have held on tighter to your console." Shiarrael smirked maliciously at the Andorian and flicked her wrist automatically dismissing any further protest as she made her way towards the turbo lift but she stopped at the lift's entrance and looked at the bridge crew "I suggest to those who have the time; visit the planet and enjoy the fruits of your labor." With that said she turned around and walked into the lift.
[Lyrila, Nysinrin]
Shiarrael dematerialized in the middle of the city's large square. She immediately regretted not bringing a jacket and crossed her arms feeling the sharp bite of bitter cold hit her. When she let out her breath it seemed to crystallize and fall to the ground in front of her but even in such temperatures she was not alone. Hundreds- perhaps thousands of Lyrillians crowded the square huddled in thick blankets. They all looked towards the mountain where a speck of glowing gold crowned the snow capped peak. That small speck slowly began to grow.
Their first sunrise? Shiarrael could hear the hum of transporters as more of the Charon's crew beamed down to witness the event. She smiled and became numb to the sharpness of the cold as the excitement of moment overtook the discomfort. The speck of gold was now the size of her fist and its continued growing. The entire mountain was bathed in gold.
"Look!" One of the Lyrillian's shouted pointing at one of the tallest buildings in the city. Its roof was glowing and slowly the light crawled down and spread to the other buildings. Shiarrael closed her eyes and waited. Her sensitive hearing caught the collective gasps of a thousand people as they witness their first sunrise. Shiarrael didn't see it but she knew the light had reached her when the cold was immediately dispelled. Slowly she opened her eyes to find the entire square bathed in the golden sunlight. The Lyrillians were shouting and cheering.
It reminded her of Lluirr t'Nizen's famous saying "only those who have waited in darkness can appreciate the miracle of a sunrise." Shiarrael recalled it in whisper and understood clearly how true those words were. Who would have ever thought this role could be so fulfilling? She looked down and tugged on her uniform. It felt snugger then she remembered. With a deep smile she glanced at the celebrating Lyrillians one final time before pressing her commbadge "Charon, one to beam up."
[End]
Commodore Shiarrael Rehu
Commanding Officer
USS Charon
