Sky Trek: Over Still Waters

Chapter Image

Twenty Years Prior...

On the rural outskirts of a war torn city, the door swung open to a rundown home, its chipped paint and broken fences making that more than apparent. Despite the distant sounds of gunfire, an older woman - one with a strange, ethereal white mist around her - slumbered peacefully on a rocking chair in it's living room.

That was, of course, until she heard the sound of her granddaughter approaching her: a young Tasha Yar.

“Gram gram?” Tasha said. “Grandmother, wake up.”

“Mmm…” she said, smacking her lips as her eyes fluttered open. “Ah! Tasha. Good. I was just about to make dinner when I must have--” She paused, perhaps noticing the anger in the young teenager’s eyes. “Oh dear. That look isn’t for me, I hope.”

“What?” Tasha said, before shaking her head. “No, no not at all. I just-- It’s them I’m angry at. I can’t believe what they’ve done!”

“Believe what who's done?” Her grandmother asked. “Your parents? Are they well?”

“No, they’re fine,” Tasha said quickly. “The militia’s barely keeping order, but they’ve managed to quiet about half the colony. Even started rebuilding in some places. I just don’t know how long that will last now that…” Her hands formed into fists. “The Colonial Union - those bastards, they’ve abandoned us!”

“What?” her grandmother said.

“We just heard it on the radio,” Tasha said, her tone a mix of disbelief and rage. “There aren’t going to be any supply ships coming. President Thomas just said, he actually said, ‘Turkana is on their own.’” She began to pace. “I can’t believe it. We fought for them! In their stupid 'Great' War. Even after they let us get shelled, we still sent people to die for them. And what do they do to repay us? Leave us to the vultures! Should have seen this coming after they abandoned Caledonia. They don’t give a damn about their colonies!”

Her grandmother took a deep breath. “Tasha, I understand your anger, I truly do, but everyone has suffered greatly during the war. Not a single Terran city has escaped its touch.”

“So you’re taking their side?!” Tasha growled.

“No,” she said sternly. “Of course not. I just want you to understand that their actions are out of desperation - nothing else.”

“And whose fault is that?” Tasha argued. “Their fault! They didn’t have to fight in the Easterners’ war, but they just couldn’t help themselves, could they? Now, the colony is in ruins and- and...”

“You don’t know what to do,” Grammy said, understandingly. “War… war has a way of making everyone feel powerless, dear. You’re not alone with those feelings.”

“I don’t have to be powerless, though,” Tasha said, a fierce look of determination overtaking her. “I’m part Vila! I have the power of the sky within me, I know it! If you can just try teaching me again - let me unlock it - I could at least help deal with some of the raiders.”

Her grandmother closed her eyes. “We’ve had this conversation before, Tasha. Your blood…”

“Is too diluted, I know,” Tasha grunted. “But humans can use magic, too! Maybe it could… maybe it could get me an edge. A head start!”

“That is true, but do you know how long it takes the average human to learn even the simplest magic?”

Tasha grew silent.

Her grandmother sighed. “You are a girl of many talents - I’ve seen it in you. You don’t need magic to make a difference. Your brain and your heart are more than enough.” She smiled warmly. “And right now, I could use both to help make dinner. Give an old woman a hand?”

“Sure,” Tasha grumbled, her tone slightly less sorrowful. She turned to walk towards the kitchen.

“I meant literally,” her grandmother said, holding out her hand. “I swear, half this damned body of mine is still asleep.” She then winked. “Must be the Vila part of me.”

With that, Tasha actually managed a small smile. She quickly helped her grandmother to her feet, and though she was still disappointed and angry, at the very least she could make it through the evening.

--

Many years later, on the bow of the Enterprise , Undyne’s voice snapped Tasha out of her memories.

"A living storm, huh?" Undyne said. "And people said Monsters were weird."

“Huh?” Tasha blinked. “Oh yeah, the storm. Listen, we should probably put this on hold for now. I really need to report for duty.”

"What? Seriously?" Undyne moaned. "We were just starting to get things done here!"

"I'm not shooting lightning from my hand yet," Tasha sighed. "I don't even feel any different. It's the same as last time. I tried, but I don't know if I've got this in me.” She closed her eyes. “Guess the Vila part of me is too far gone."

"You may think that, but your SOUL has other ideas," Undyne said. "I just checked it a second ago: totally opening up to magic."

Tasha gave her a sarcastic look. "You could just be saying that."

"Nah, I don't lie about stuff like that," Undyne said. "Trust me, you've got this."

Tasha glanced at the bridge, barely visible between two of the cannons above her. "I still feel like I need to do my job."

"..."

"Undyne?"

She turned about to see what had quieted her normally talkative companion. It didn't take long. The storm was now larger, much larger. For what had been fairly distant, almost a static object a moment ago was now visibly growing closer to them - too close. In under five minutes, it would be right on top of them.

"Woah, what the f--"

--

"--Heck?!" Victor blurted out. "Captain, the storm's shifted direction again. It’s on an intercept path. It’s also started accelerating... somehow.”

Luna gazed at him worriedly. 'This storm is beyond strange.'

“It really does want a closer look, huh?” Riker said.

“Or it wants to swallow us,” Worf said, busy having a staring contest with the distant clouds.

“Either way, we can’t risk drawing close with it behaving so erratically,” Picard said, somewhat reluctantly. “Ms. Hopper, turn us about and proceed to warp--”

“Captain, I don’t think that’s going to work,” Victor interrupted. “Storm’s still accelerating. It’ll be on top of us before we can hit max speed. I know the ship can handle that kind of weather pretty well, but if we hit warp while we’re inside it…”

“Very well, belay that order, helmswoman,” Picard said. “Instead, bring us to full stop and refurl braking sails as soon as it’s done.”

“Y-Yes, sir!”

“We’re going to try to weather it, sir?” Riker asked.

“It’s the only option we have now,” Picard said.

An instant afterwards, a series of massive poles extended from the sides of the enterprise. Each carried fin-like sails nearly as wide as the ship. They quickly unfurled, ballooning to near half-spheres as they caught the relative wind.

The ship creaked and groaned slightly as it slowed to a halt a kilometer above the waves. Then, as quickly as the sails had popped out, a series of mechanisms fired and refurled them. The poles retracted soon after.

“Holding position, captain,” Jane said, a small hint of satisfaction on her face.

Despite this, Luna couldn’t help but nervously stare out the windows. The storm was so close and so massive it blocked their forward vision entirely. Already, moisture was beginning to gather on the windows, though it was quickly evaporated by what she assumed was an advanced alchemical process.

‘The Federation’s skill with alchemy never ceases to amaze me,’ Luna thought.

Picard turned to Charlie. “Ensign, have all crew batten down the hatches. Initiate severe storm protocols.”

“Will do!” she said, still perky as ever.

As she picked up her intercom microphone and began to relay the orders, the moisture gathering on the windows was now joined by raindrops. Lightning ripped across the darkened skies followed by the crackle of thunder. The bridge began to darken as mists slowly obscured the formerly blue skies.

“Entering its outer layers now,” Victor said.

As they did, Luna began to notice something odd. The occasional flash of lightning illuminated more than just clouds. Floating about were person-sized oval-shaped objects. While they did have a peculier fluffy, cloud-like quality, they also had a distinct, almost organic look to them. In fact, she could have sworn they looked almost like eggs. A few of them were closer than others, and it didn’t take much examination to notice they appeared to have been cracked open.

‘Strange,’ Luna thought.

However, before she could give it more attention, Victor spoke up once more. “Alright, now that’s just weird.”

“What is it, Mr. Stone?” Riker asked.

He looked at Riker, baffled, then back at one of his monitors. “Not sure if this is some sort of… I dunno, unforeseen side effect of being inside a storm, but STSO Radar’s picking up small contacts. Three, six… ten… twenty? You’re not going to want specific bearings, are you? Cus they’re closing in on us from all sides."

“Yes, he’s right, I can feel them now,” Ahsoka said, looking like her mind was in a distant place.

“Same here,” Deanna said. “Captain, I believe whatever they are are the same thing we sensed earlier. I thought it was one mind, but no… it’s not that. It’s like multiple minds connected together in a… in a sort of chorus.”

“A hive mind?” Riker suggested.

“I’m not sure,” Deanna said. “All I can say is they have a connection to each other through… some sort of means.”

“I appreciate what you’ve all given me, but I’d still like to know exactly what it is we’re dealing with here,” Picard said pensively. “Is their intent still unknown?”

“Yes, I’m sorry, captain.”

“Wait, captain, look!” Worf suddenly barked, gesturing out the windows.

Luna and half the bridge gasped as what could only be described as a fever dream unfolded before their eyes. Strange, bony creatures were appearing from the mists, floating over the deck of the Enterprise and towards them. It was hard to make out the details at first, but as they drew closer to the bridge windows, it was clear they were not anything familiar.

They had strange webbed wings that extended from the lengths of their arms to their sides, though there was no way that alone was keeping them aloft. Their black holes for eyes sent a shiver up the Night Princess’s spine.

And here Luna usually adored creepy things. ‘Too spooky for even me,’ she gulped.

“Identification?” Picard asked, his tone cool and collected as usual, though still with a hint of agitation. He glanced about the bridge. Nobody had an answer. “Anyone?”

“Sorry, captain, but we are getting calls from all over the ship!” Charlie reported, holding a receiver up to her right ear. Like Picard, her tone showed little signs of panic. “We’ve got creatures peeking in windows - floating all over the upper deck!”

“Captain, I recommend we go to red alert,” Worf said. “Have everyone report to battle stations - just in case.”

“I wouldn’t do that, captain,” Deanna said, her brow furrowed in concentration. “I… I feel like they’re trying to reach some sort of consensus. They don’t know what to make of us yet. Their minds are so alien, though...”

“But they are just curious at the moment?” Picard asked.

“It’s hard to say, but I think they are,” Deanna said.

“Curious and cautious,” Jane added, an equal look of concentration on her.

“They have a strong connection with the Force,” Ahsoka said. “Both the Living Force and Cosmic Force.”

“Ahsoka, I don’t think anyone knows what that means,” Leia pointed out.

“Oh,” Ahsoka said, thinking for a second. “What I mean is… I think that’s how they’re connected to the storm.”

“Are they in control of the storm, though?” Riker asked.

“They are as curious about us as the, well, storm was,” Leia said. “It’d make sense that they’d be in the driver’s seat.”

Victor shook his head, worried. “If that’s true, with the amount of energy those thunderclouds have, they could rip this ship to shreds if they wanted to.”

“It does not matter!” Worf protested. “We have to at least try to defend ourselves!”

“We’ll take the middle option,” Picard announced, turning to Charlie. “Go to red alert and have security and MACO teams move to key areas. However, tell them not to even draw their weapons unless absolutely necessary.”

“On it!” Charlie beamed.

She flipped a switch at one of her control pads. An instant later, klaxons began to blare red.

Picard then turned to Worf. “Have our AA gunners report to their positions, but tell them not to man them until the order is given.”

“Yes, sir,” Worf said, a hint of relief in his tone.

“Captain, I recommend we shut off all radar systems, too,” Riker added.

“Just in case we have a repeat of the Thestral situation?” Picard said. “Good call, Number One. Make it so, Mr. Stone.”

“Will do,” Victor nodded.

"Captain, I just got word back from Commander Shepard," Charlie said, a receiver to her ear once again. “She’s confirmed your orders and has MACO teams on the move. Still nothing from Tasha, though."

"She may very well be preoccupied," Picard said. "For now, it's time to figure out where we stand."

With that, he began to slowly walk over to the nearest window. The creatures behind it didn’t seem to react to him.

“Captain?” Riker said, perturbed.

“He wants to try to communicate,” Leia said, nodding to herself as she moved to join Picard’s side. “For once, we’re in complete agreement.”

“I’ll take that as a stroke of good luck,” Picard said.

“Uh huh.”

The two of them stopped right before one of the creatures, the alchemically-enhanced glass all that separated them. It hovered up and down ever so slightly, but otherwise didn’t make a move.

“Can you understand me?” Picard asked loudly.

“...”

“I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation Skyship Enterprise, ” Picard continued. “We strive to seek out new life and civilizations. We mean you no harm.”

“...”

“Don’t think that’s going to work,” Leia grunted. “I doubt they speak Common - or any language we know, for that matter.”

“Worth a try,” Picard said. “What would you suggest?”

“We need something universal,” Leia said, a hand on her chin. “Something like…”

She thought for a moment more, before making a deliberately wide smile. She then gestured to herself, then back at the creature, and finally, she stretched out her arms in a semi-upward motion, almost as if she was looking for a hug.

The creature cocked its head slightly, but otherwise continued to stare at them.

She repeated the gesture, hoping for something , but nothing came. “Counselor Troi, any change in their emotions?” she asked hopefully.

She shook her head. “No, I’m sorry, but they’re still… jumbled.”

“Damn,” Leia sighed, glancing towards Ben slightly. “For a diplomat, I guess I’ve still got a lot to learn when it comes to communicating, huh?”

Surprisingly, instead of the cold indifference he showed earlier, he actually gave her a sympathetic look. “N-No, mom, I think you’re onto something there.”

“What do you have in mind, Padawan?” Ahsoka asked.

“We can’t talk to them with words, that’s for sure,” he said. “And they might be too alien to understand body language. Buuuut they’ve got a huge connection to the Force, right? Could we try talking to them through it?”

Ahsoka furrowed her brow. “I once knew a young Jedi, Ezra Bridger, who had such an ability, but as for myself…” She took a deep breath. “Well, I suppose there’s a first time for everything.”

With that, the Dryad Jedi joined Picard and Leia at the window. She gazed at the creatures, curious, before closing her eyes and outstretching her hand. She furrowed her brow, obviously in deep concentration, and then…

“ACK!” she cried, stumbling backwards and out of control. If it wasn’t for Riker quickly moving to catch her, she would have fallen to the deck.

“Ahsoka!” Ben said, rushing to her side. “Ahsoka, are you okay? Damnit, I’m so sorry, that was such a stupid idea!”

“N-Not your fault,” she groaned, a pained look on her face. “But I… I don’t think they liked that.”

“She’s right, captain!” Deanna said, alarmed. “It’s almost like they feel… like they feel violated! They’re becoming spooked… and enraged!”

“They’re spooked by us?” Riker said.

“Yes!” Deanna said, glancing towards Picard. “Captain, I think they might be preparing to attack. We may need to do something very soon!”

Adding to the weight of her words, the creatures began to move, circling the bridge like sharks. Though nothing in their posture changed, it was still a menacing sight.

“Captain, should I have our gunners open fire?!” Worf asked.

“No!” Picard shouted. “No. No rash actions. We need to--”

“Intruder!” Riker called, pointing behind Picard.

Luna’s eyes widened as the bridge crew turned to where he gestured. Phasing right through the bridge windows were two, no, three of the creatures. They floated over the carpet towards Ahsoka, droplets of water dripping off them and forming a trial. The sound of electricity crackled from them, and arcs of it ripped along their forms.

With only a few more feet between them and the Jedi Master, the bridge crew mobilized.

Luna was the first to act. Though she was no longer as strong as she was when she helped rule Equestria, she knew her magical skills were nothing to balk at. Though it was daylight outside of the storm, she still had a reserve of Lunar Magic within her, and she intended to use it.

“AMICUS MEIS!.!.!” she shouted, her voice echoing with supernatural strength, and pointed both her palms outward at the fallen Jedi and Riker. Blue energy shot forth from them, forming a shimmering shield around her companions.

The creatures halted in their tracks upon seeing this, but not for long. Within a split second, they seemed to figure out what was blocking their path and the source of it. In a snap, one turned towards Luna and opened its hollow mouth.

PHWOOOOOM!.!.!

A terrific gust of wind blew from it, knocking Luna off her feet and slamming her into her work station. Every tool on it clattered to the ground, followed quickly by herself. She was barely conscious as she saw the next bit of action unfold.

Ben and Worf barrelled into the path of the two creatures, Worf drawing one of the Bat’leths he kept stashed near his station and Ben igniting his Mana Saber.

The creatures, however, were undeterred at the sight. They stretched out their hands, electricity visibly crackling around them, and pointed them at the crewmembers.

“No, wait!” Victor suddenly shouted. And just as the two groups were about to make contact, he stepped between them. At that split-second, lightning barrelled from the creature’s hands. Where it once would have hit Ben and Worf, it hit Victor’s golem side, which he had turned towards them.

“AGGGGH!” he roared, electricity ripping into his rocky half.

“Victor!” Charlie cried.

Yet despite all that energy surging through him, he remained on his feet. Other than his rocky half smoldering slightly, he seemed completely unharmed.

Even more surprising was the creatures’ reactions. This time they did halt themselves, gazing at Victor as if they were trying to understand his actions. They weren’t the only ones who reacted, however: those outside the bridge windows stopped circling, once again growing static.

“B-Booya,” Victor said, grinning ever so slightly at the beings.

Taking advantage of the pause, Picard looked towards Charlie, sweat now dripping down both of their foreheads. “Ensign, have medical teams report to the bridge spire. Do not have them enter, however, and do not have them use the elevator or the main entrance.”

“Yes, sir,” she squeaked.

He then glanced at his First Officer, who seemed to be trying to figure out how to check the Dryad in his arms’ vital signs. “Number One?”

“Master Tano, are you with me?” he asked.

She made a pained nod.

Satisfied, Picard then rushed to Luna’s side, kneeling down before her. “Luna, are you alright?”

She blinked, dazed, before giving him a weak, appreciative smile. “N-Not the princess I used to be, I’m afraid.”

Picard returned the smile. “Could have fooled me.”

“I-I’m fine, too, thanks for asking,” Victor groaned, taking deep breaths. "Lucky Dr. Tekla fixed me up with igneous rock."

Picard gazed at him apologetically. “Sorry, Mr. Stone. Believe me, we’re all glad you’re still on your feet.”

“Y-You could say we’re all kind of… shocked at the moment,” Charlie stuttered out.

Picard gave her a blank look.

“Sorry, bad joke,” she squeaked.

“Hey, bad jokes are better than no jokes at the moment,” Victor said, chuckling slightly.

Picard shook his head, then turned to Counselor Troi. “Any change?”

Though her face still bore shock at the situation, she quickly seemed to summon her strength, and then replied: “I-I’m… I’m sensing some of what I was before. Jane?”

“S-Same,” she said.

“We’re still walking the edge of a knife though,” Deanna reported.

“Captain,” Worf said, still holding his Bat’leth in a defensive posture. ”This more than proves their hostile intent. We have to prepare to defend the Enterprise.”

“We can’t fight our way out of this, Mr. Worf,” Riker reasoned. “These creatures don’t even seem corporeal.”

“We could have our gunners and security forces switch to the experimental Ghost Buster Rounds,” Worf said. “Shepard made sure to procure a stock of them.”

Leia took a deep breath, glancing at Picard. “It might be the only shot we have at this point.”

Luna shook her head, weakly. “D-Don’t do it captain… they’re too powerful.”

“And don’t forget, they might still be able to use the storm itself,” Victor said. “No amount of lightning rods can handle that sort of energy.”

“Again, it doesn’t matter - at least we would go down fighting!” Worf growled. “An honorable end. One that would ensure we all would be welcome in Stovokor.”

Picard paused, glancing between the various members of his bridge crew. None of them seemed to have an answer for him. Whether or not he was about to order something, no one would ever find out what it was. For before he could, two newcomers entered the bridge.

It was Tasha and Undyne, the former’s eyes glowing a brilliant blue.

“Tasha?!” Picard gasped.