Sky Trek: Over Still Waters

World Map and Glossary

Captain's Log, SFD 54.1932

After our unexpected crisis at Farpoint, the Enterprise has begun the relatively easy exercise of charting the Arcturian Sea. While this area is fairly close to Federation waters, it has often been avoided due to unpredictable weather patterns. However, with the Enterprise's doppler radar, we believe this risk can now be mitigated. I look forward to seeing what's been hiding right under our noses for centuries

On a side note, due to the nature of the mission, it has allotted quite a bit of free time to the majority of the crew, including myself. And with that in mind, I can no longer hold off the inevitable. It is time to make things… official.

"...Thus, it is by the request of Vice Admiral Preston Cole that Captain Jean-Luc Picard take command of the FSS Enterprise-C," Commander Riker read, standing in front of a podium in the Enterprise's surprisingly large auditorium.

In it were over 500 members of the skyship's crew, practically the entire complement. So many different personalities, species, and cultures, yet Jean-Luc, who sat crossed-arm at the back of the stage, couldn't help but think they shared one thing in common...

They were all as bored as he was.

"... Congratulations, captain," Riker finished.

"Jean-Luc, that's your cue," Deanna said, sitting next to him on stage, and adding in a cheery tone: "And remember, ‘a smile is a universal welcome.’"

"Hm? Oh yes," Jean-Luc coughed. "Incredibly so." With that, he slowly stood up and walked towards the podium.

Behind his back, he could have sworn he heard Leia whisper to Deanna, "You know he didn't hear a thing you said, right?"

Deanna merely chuckled. "It's the encouragement that counts."

Jean-Luc resisted giving her a sarcastic smirk. Instead, he merely shook Riker’s hand, taking the podium. "Thank you, commander," he said, half towards him and half towards the microphone.

"No problem, sir," he said, smiling slightly. "I tried to keep it brief like you asked."

"Number One, you have no idea how grateful I am for that," Picard said, making sure to speak away from the microphone this time. "Now then…"

As Riker took his seat on the stage, Picard cleared his throat. His voice bounced around the auditorium as he began his deliberately brief speech. "As you'll all soon find out, if you haven't already, I'm not one for undue ceremony, especially when it hasn't been earned." He surveyed the audience, noting a few curious glances. "While I have been appointed to captain this vessel, I am but one piece of the machine needed for it to function. Thus, its story should not be tied to myself, but all of us, collectively. All of you.

From cooks to cleaners to gunners to navigators, we together are the drivers of our mission, and its success is contingent upon how well we work together. Whatever awaits us in the unknown waters of present and future, we owe it to each other to meet it with our best selves." He then smiled ever so slightly. "And seeing you all together like this, I truly believe we shall make it so."

Naturally, whether out of politeness or genuine admiration for the speech (including its brevity), the audience erupted into applause. Whatever the reason, Picard was just happy to have gotten it over with.

--

An hour later, a celebration erupted in the Enterprise’s cafeteria. Federation and nation-state flags adorned the walls, and foods and drinks from every culture nearly over-flowed from the center-most table. This meant everything from Vulcan Wellness Tea to Gallean Ratatouille to Equestrian Leaf Burgers. It served as a lure for almost everyone in the crew, even the most introverted among them.

“Ah yes, a most joyous of occasions!” Luna beamed, sitting at the officer’s table and scarfing down another plate of moon pies. “My compliments to Chef Muriel. I haven’t had any this good in cycles!”

“Moon pies, huh?” Leia said, raising an eyebrow with a smirk. “Really playing up the whole ‘night princess’ thing, aren’t you?”

Luna blinked, gazing at her in confusion. “Huh?”

“Nevermind,” Leia chuckled, gazing about the crowd. Currently, the two of them were the only ones sitting down. Practically everyone else was up and about, mingling. “I just wonder…”

“Mmm?” Luna asked, her mouth full.

“Just looking for my son, Ben,” Leia said, slumping in her chair slightly. To Luna, she seemed uncharacteristically sorrowful. “Thought he’d actually make a public appearance for once.”

“Oh, Padawan Solo?” Luna said, her interest piqued. “He’s your son?”

“Did the last name give it away?” Leia snarked, gaining a somewhat dejected glance from Luna. “Sorry, guess he could have been a nephew or something, right?”

Luna gave her a forgiving smile. “It’s fine.” She then gave Leia a sympathetic look. “Is everything okay?”

Leia sighed heavily, glancing away from her. “Do you have children yourself, Luna?”

Luna shook her head. “No. My royal duties were… too taxing for that.”

Leia raised her eyebrows. “I’m surprised.”

“Is this due to my age?” Luna said, giving her a playful grin.

“No,” Leia shook her head. “It’s because I think you’d be a good mother. I’ve heard stories about how much Equestrian kids adore you.”

Luna’s grin grew into a warm smile. “The children of the Equestria were some of the first to welcome my return.” She took a deep breath. “I suppose my role squelching their nightmares helped with that.”

Leia raised her eyebrows. “Do you still do that sort of thing?”

Luna bobbed her head back and forth. “It’s not my official duty anymore, and it takes quite a bit more energy than it used to, but if it is needed...”

“Think you could help me with one?” Leia asked suddenly.

“Oh?” Luna said, surprised that someone like Leia was actually asking for help with such a thing. After a second of thought, however, the reason became clear. “Does it have to do with your son?”

Leia slowly nodded. “I keep having the same nightmare over and over.”

“What sort?” Luna asked.

Leia took a deep breath. “I’m in a dark forest. Like something on the island of Dagobah. Ben is walking ahead of me through the brush, faster than I can keep up with. Then, he slips and falls into the bog.” Leia shivered slightly. “He doesn’t cry for help, doesn’t say anything. Just stays sitting in the muck as these… things - like black, shadowy tendrils - reach out from it, grabbing him…” Leia winced, shaking her head. “You can see where this is going.”

“Mmm,” Luna said with a ponderous expression. “Honestly, though, Counselor Troi may be better than I at interpreting such a dream.”

“But what would you do if you, er, entered it?” Leia ask.

Luna thought for a moment. “If you were a child, I’d probably just blast away the tendrils, create a safe setting, and try to talk with you. To find the underlying problem, that is, usually something simple.”

“Sounds like Deanna’s work…” Leia said. “Well, without the blasting part.”

“Yes, but an adult's dream is very much different than a child’s,” Luna said. “The meanings behind them are often a multitude more complex. I’m afraid I never got around to mastering those.” Luna paused slightly. “And if what I know about Force Sensitive dreams are correct, that complicates things further …”

“About how they can be premonitions?” Leia said.

Luna nodded.

“Still, go ahead and give me your best shot,” Leia said.

“Well,” Luna said, the gears in her head turning rapidly. “It’s probably nothing more than what you’ve already figured out, but it sounds like you’re worried that Ben might be moving too far away from your grasp, both physically and in terms of influence. And you’re worried that without your support, something terrible might happen to him.”

“Sounds about the gist of it,” Leia said. “But what if I’m just overreacting? This could just be a normal teenager thing he’s going through. The dreaded rebellious phase.”

Luna furrowed her brow in thought. “Like I said, this is more of Counselor Troi’s line of work, especially when we’re talking teenagers, but I do know a mother’s job is a stressful one. It wouldn’t be out of line to talk to him. Alleviate your own fears.”

Leia smiled at that. “Maybe you’re right. It could be time I took the initiative.”

Luna opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, a familiar voice called out from the crowd. “Oi! Princess Luna!”

“Speaking of teenagers,” Luna chuckled, gazing at the person running up to her: a young, eager Earthen. “Hello, Pip! It’s good to see you once again.”

“Likewise, princess,” he said, smiling widely as he approached her table. “Honestly still can’t believe you’re on this tug. Two legends on one ship? Bloomin’ miracle if I’d ever heard of one.” He then coughed, noting Leia was staring at the whole thing with a grin. “Er, make that three legends.”

“It’s alright,” she laughed. “You’re Equestrian, right?”

“Last time I checked,” he said, his smile not subsiding. “Cadet Pip Pinto Squeak at your service, Miss Organna.”

“Pip here’s a rising star in logistics,” Luna said. “Wouldn’t have my Earl Gray Tea stash without his help.”

Pip blushed slightly. “It was nothin’, princess, really. Anything for the one who made the best Nightmare Night ever!”

“You still remember that?” Luna beamed.

“Like it was yesterday,” Pip said fondly.

Leia blinked, gazing at Luna. “Nightmare Night?”

“It’s like that one holiday on the Terran Continent,” Luna said, trying to think of the word. “All Hallow’s Eve?”

Leia’s held her confused look. “All Hallow’s What?”

“If you don’t mind me saying, princess, she’s from the New Republic,” Pip said. “Don’t really have a holiday like that there.”

Leia shook her head. “The Galactan Continent is a bit more...“ She seemed to search for the right word. “Localized? Than the Terran Continent. There aren’t many big holidays celebrated everywhere.” She then chuckled. “I see you paid good attention in cultural studies, though, cadet.”

“Had to, miss,” Pip said. “Can’t supply a multi-cultural ship without knowing who wants what and how much.”

“Speaking of culture,” Luna said whimsically. “Have you… seen many other Equestrians onboard?”

“There’s a few,” Pip said. “Not too many thanks to us only joining the Federation a few years back, though. Give it a year or two, though, when the next Skyfleet class graduates...”

Luna glanced away from him, trying her best to hide the look of disappointment.

“Feeling homesick?” Leia asked.

“A little,” Luna said, before smiling brightly Pip’s way. “However, your presence is more than enough to help with that.”

Pipsqueak nodded sympathetically. “Can’t say I’m not a little bit meself. Equestria’s changed since I was a lad, but it’s still nothing but beautiful.” He must have noticed Luna’s smile turning mournful, because he quickly added: “But you know, I think there might be someone you’d be interested in meetin’.”

“Oh?” Luna asked, her curiosity piqued.

“Mhm,” Pip said. “Former student of… well, Princess Celestia. One of the first to do the Federation Cultural Exchange Program, in fact. ”

Luna’s eyes widened. “You don’t mean…?”

Pipsqueak grinned. “Sunset Shimmer herself.”

--

“Come on, Raven, it’s a party!” Victor grinned at his gothic, blue-cloaked comrade. “You can dance if you want to. Just don’t leave your friends behind!”

The two former Titans stood at the food table, gazing as a jazz band, led by Riker on trombone, played a swinging, up-beat version of When The Saints Go Barging In. A group of crew members, including Victor’s fellow bridge officer, Charlie, and her one-eyed, grey-skinned partner were busy dancing the night away in front of them.

“Those aren’t the words,” Raven mumbled.

“Wait, I thought you hated Dance Safely,” Victor said, raising his single human eyebrow. “How do you know the words?”

“Because it gets stuck in my head,” Raven sighed. “Just like it has now.”

“Oh yeah, now I remember.” He gave a nostalgia-filled chuckle. “Didn’t Beast Boy used to drive you crazy with it?”

The dark sorceress smirked. “One of the few memories of the Titans I’d be happy to forget.”

The half-stone golem couldn’t help but laugh, and was about to carry on when he noticed Raven turning to stare at the dancers again.

“Alright, I don’t get it. If you don’t wanna dance, why do you keep looking at em’?” he asked.

“That girl,” she said, gazing suspiciously at Charlie. “Her and her friend? Girlfriend?”

“Who? Charlie? Vaggie?” Victor asked. “Girlfriends. What about em’?”

“There’s something familiar about them,” Raven said, a hint of suspicion in her tone. “Especially, um… Charlie, was it? Though I’m sure I’ve never met them.”

Victor shrugged as he sipped on his rootbeer float. “Deja Vu is one hell of a drug.”

“One hell of a drug, indeed,” Raven said, her eyes narrowing.

Victor blinked, unsure as to what she was getting at. “Don’t tell me that’s what dragged you out of the infirmary. You wanting to spy on my bridge mate.” He then laughed. “I’m sure if you got to know her you’d like her. She’s like Starfire’s long lost not-evil sister.”

Raven shook her head, apparently trying to throw off her suspicions. “No, that wasn’t the reason.” She then gave him a sly smile. “Can’t believe I’m saying it, but I do miss her, by the way.”

“Yeah, same here,” Victor sighed, pausing a moment. “Hope her and Dick are okay.”

“Unless they’ve actually managed to track down Slade,” Raven said. “I doubt Robin will ever be.”

Victor winced. “True.” He then smiled encouragingly. “But hey, they were heading off the grid last we checked, and so are we. Who knows? Maybe we’ll run into them.”

“I think that’s very unlikely,” Raven said.

“Unlikely but not impossible,” Victor said, smirking. “That glass is still half full!”

“More like 99% empty,” she replied, rolling her eyes. She then glanced towards the door to the cafeteria. “Anyway, Victor, it truly was great to hang out again, but…”

“Meditation calls?” Victor said, trying to hide his disappointment with a chuckle. “Don’t worry, I understand.”

“Had to mend quite a few broken bones today,” she said. “The crew is still getting their footing.”

“Literally, I suppose,” Victor joked.

Raven stared at him blankly.

“Like if they’ve been falling off catwalks or something,” Victor explained.

“I got the joke,” Raven said, smirking sarcastically. “Truly a pun worthy of Robin, though darker than I’d expect.”

“Booya to that, then,” Victor said triumphantly. “Guess you’ve been rubbing off on me again. Just like old times.” He then locked gaze with her’s. “Really, it’s cool, though. Just try not to be a stranger now, okay?”

“You have my word,” Raven said, giving him a genuine smile. She then turned to leave the cafeteria, Victor watching solemnly as she exited.

He then sighed deeply, gazing at the wooden deck between his cold, stone legs. With a small movement, he then held his rocky, golem hand in front of his single human eye, a look of longing in it. “Yep,” he sighed heavily. “Old times …”

At that, he became so lost in thought that he didn’t even realize someone had come up to him.

“Victor Stone?” the person asked, snapping the half-golem out of his thoughts. Victor glanced up - in front of him was someone he didn’t recognize. He could tell that he was probably Amestrian, however, with his long blonde hair and brilliant blue eyes.

“Oh, hey,” Victor said, trying to put on a polite tone. “Sorry, don’t think we’ve met before.”

“Oh, where’s my manners? I’m Alphonse Elric,” he said, holding out a hand. Victor took it with his human hand, glancing into Alphonse’s curious eyes as he shook. “Most people call me Al, though. Pleased to meet you.”

“You too,” Victor said. “Al, though? Think I’ve heard that name before.”

“I’m surprised. It isn’t too well known outside Amestris,” he admitted. “Unlike yourself.”

Victor raised his single human eyebrow. “Myself?”

“Yeah, you’re kind of famous,” Alphonse said.

Victor narrowed his eyes. He was starting to understand why Alphonse was talking to him, and he didn’t like the reason behind it.

‘Another alchemist here to study me, I bet,’ he thought to himself. “Al, if you don’t mind me asking, what is it you do?”

Al blinked in confusion. “I’m an alchemist. Why?”

“I see,” Victor sighed. ‘Guess maybe the glass is half-empty after all.’

Al’s eyes widened in realization. “B-But that’s not why I’m talking to you. I’m actually-”

“Right,” Victor said, cutting him off. Agitation was clearly in his tone. “Sorry, but I just remembered I have, uh, somewhere I need to be.” He quickly turned about, making his way to the door and not even bothering to look at Al as he went. “Enjoy the party.”

Before Al could say another word, the half-golem was gone.

--

‘Wonder what that was all about,’ Tasha thought to herself, watching the scene. Before she could investigate further, however, she noticed the music had stopped. Riker stepped towards the microphone on the small stage his impromptu band played on, and applause filled the room.

“Not bad, commander!” Geordi called.

“It was great!” Charlie beamed.

“Pretty good, pretty good,” Rodney complimented, surprising many.

“PLAY BIRD OF FREEDOM !” another figure called, one of the Astral (Monsters as they called themselves) crew members who took the form of a human skeleton. Tasha assumed it wasn’t his decision. “THAT IS A HUMAN EXPRESSION, YES?”

“totes, Paps,” another, shorter skeleton Astral said.

“Thank you, thank you,” Riker said, soaking up the attention. “We’ll be back for more a bit later, but for now, how about someone to tickle your funny bone?”

“OH NO!” ‘Paps’ said, his eye-holes widening in terror. “SANS, PLEASE DON’T TELL ME-”

It was too late, the smaller skeleton had already moved to take the stage.

“how’s it hanging, everyone?” Sans said, speaking into the microphone. “if anyone’s wondering; yeah, I told Commander Riker to say that. that was entirely my fault, not his.”

“KILL ME.”

“sorry, bro, can’t be done,” Sans said, winking.

“Let me guess, because he’s already a skeleton,” Rodney moaned, obviously having little patience for the act. “Hardy har har.”

Sans, however, was not deterred. “no, because I’d get… bonely. ”

Tasha along with half the room couldn’t help but burst out laughing at that. The joke was cheesy as all hell, but for some reason, hearing it from him just worked.

Well, sort of.

“Boooooo,” Rodney chided.

Tasha gave him an annoyed look, before a lightbulb practically popped above her head. Time to get rid of the heckler before he could heckle once more. “Boo?” she said, smirking his way. “He’s a skeleton, not a ghost, Dr. McKay.”

“What? Seriously?” McKay said, giving her a sideways glance. “You too, Lieutenant?”

“OH GOD, IT’S INFECTIOUS!” Papyrus cried. “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, BROTHER?!”

Rodney rolled his eyes. “Yeah, that’s it, I’m out,” he groaned, walking away from the stage to mingle with LaForge.

Sans, in the meantime, couldn’t help but laugh. If he had a hat, Tasha imagined him tipping it her way. “not bad, not bad.”

And so the show continued, with Sans offering a mix of cheesy puns and and actually pretty well-constructed jokes, occasionally gaining roaring laughter from the crowd. Tasha took a seat nearby, enjoying the show on her own. It wasn’t long before she found herself sitting next to another Astral, however. With fin-like protrusions sprouting from the sides of her head, there was no mistaking the former captain of their Royal Guard, Undyne.

“Hey,” the aquatic warrior said casually, giving Tasha friendly smile.

“Hi?” Tasha said awkwardly.

“Um, how’s it going?”

Tasha raised her eyebrows. “Good?”

“Sorry,” Undyne finally chuckled. “Never good with the whole ‘hello’ thing. Not unless there’s spear-pointing involved.”

“It’s no problem,” Tasha said, returning the smile. “Can I… help you with something?”

“Eh, you already did,” Undyne said, scratching the back of her head. “Just wanted to say... thanks.”

“Huh?” Tasha said, genuinely confused.

“Getting rid of that heckler,” Undyne said. “Never, ever, ever tell anyone I said this, but Sans can actually be kind of self-conscious about doing comedy around new faces.”

“Oh, well it was no problem,” Tasha said. “I don’t see why he’s self-conscious though. He’s pretty good! Like a really weird mix of corny and deadpan jokes, yet he just owns it.”

“He’s had a bit of practice,” Undyne said. “Used to do stand-up back when we Monsters were still underground. Probably the only stand-up down there.”

“That was over ten years ago,” Tasha blinked. “How far do you two go back?”

“Oh, Sans and I?” she said. “Shoot, as far back as I’ve known his brother, Papyrus. He was dead set on joining the Royal Guard, Papyrus that is, and where he goes, Sans isn’t far behind. Why Sans decided to hop on the Enterprise, I bet.” She then shrugged. “Not that I have room to talk. I followed my girlfriend, Alphys, here. She’s working down in engineering. Not for that, I’d still be doing pure MACO stuff.”

Tasha glanced at her curiously. “You’re still in MACO though, right?”

She nodded. “Yeah, though all of us on this ship are attached to Skyfleet now. Shepard’s my immediate officer, but she ultimately reports to the captain. When he says jump, she says, ‘How high?’”

“How do you like it?” Tasha asked.

“MACO or working with Skyfleet?” Unydyne said.

“Both,” Tasha clarified.

Undyne thought for a second. “Truth be told, I miss being in the Monster Royal Guard. Don’t get me wrong, I understand why King Asgore got rid of it. He wanted us to start, er, ‘bonding’ with other races, as he put it. Just taking a lot of time to get used to.” She chuckled slightly. “Still haven’t figured out those firearm things completely. I prefer to just use magic.”

To emphasize, she held out her palm. In an instant, a small flame erupted from it, which she quickly extinguished.

Tasha’s eyes widened at the sight. “What the-- How did you-- You make it look so easy.”

“Huh?” Undyne blinked.

“I’m no expert on magic,” Tasha said. “But from what I know, usually mages need to do some sort of chant, use a tome, all kinds of stuff to make anything happen. Doing it the way you did… it’s pretty rare.”

“Oh, I thought you knew?” Undyne said, still a little confused. “We Monsters, Astrals, whatever you wanna call us, we’re pretty much made completely of magical… stuff. Energy? Eh, forgot the name for it. You’ll have to talk with someone who knows more than me.” She then gave her a curious glance. “But wait, you’re saying you don’t know much about magic?”

“Why would I?” Tasha asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Cus you’re part Vila, aren’t you?” Undyne said. “Vila are kind of like living storm clouds. Can do Sky Magic like it’s nothing. A flick of the wrist and BAM! Lightning bolt!”

“Well, I’m only 1/8th Vila,” Tasha said, a little disconcerted. “But how did you--”

“Hard to explain,” Undyne said. “Maybe later. I’ve been talkin’ about myself too much, anyway.” She then grinned, snapping her webbed fingers. “But hey, you’re Chief of Security, right?”

“Yeah, why?” Tasha asked.

“Do you know how to use those stupid new stun rifles?” Undyne asked.

Tasha smiled slightly, starting to pick up what she was putting down. “Yeah. Starting to be a decent shot.”

“Maybe we could help each other out, then?” Undyne said. “Because at the moment, I ‘can’t hit the side of a barn 10 yards away,’ as Shepard says.” She then blushed slightly. “It’s… kind of embarrassing when it comes from a commanding officer.”

“So you… want ‘outside’ help?” Tasha said.

Undyne, to her surprise, nodded shyly. “I won’t ask you to do it for free, though. Like I said, it’ll be a trade. You teach me to shoot stun rifles, I’ll teach you to shoot lightning out of your fingers like one of those Sith Lord guys. To unlock your Sky Magic potential.”

“Not sure if I want to be compared to a Sith Lord,” Tasha laughed.

Undyne gave her a sarcastic look. “You get what I mean. How’s about it, though?”

“Oh, I don’t know…” Tasha said, glancing away from her. She held a hint of shame in her voice when she continued with: “My grandmother tried to teach me magic once. I… wasn’t cut out for it.”

“Pfffft,” Undyne laughed. “No offense to your grandmother, but she wasn’t a Monster. Trust me, with my help it’ll be easy.”

Tasha glanced at her with uncertainty. “It’s still not much of a fair trade, you know.”

“Oh come on,” Undyne pressured. “If you feel guilty, maybe you can give Alphys a tour of the bridge to make it up to me. She’s been dying to get up there.”

“I don’t think that’d be a problem, but...”

“No buts,” Undyne said. “How’s about 0600 at the CTR? Can you believe they’ve got automatic moving targets? Perfect for practice.”

Tasha finally sighed in defeat. “Well, I have been looking for a good training partner.”

“You won’t find a better one,” Undyne said, giving another toothy grin. “Let’s do it! Super Tasha-Undyne Go-Team Go!”

Tasha blinked. “Huh?”

“Means we’re now battle besties!” Undyne beamed, gripping a surprised Tasha in a bear hug.

Tasha couldn’t help but laugh, her competitive side urging her to try to out-hug her new, fishy companion.

“Battle besties it is.”