Back To Exploring - Part I

Posted on Sat Jan 24th, 2026 @ 11:52pm by Commodore Samantha York & Commander Alora Knight & Commander Joren Tal & Lieutenant Aenar Torek & Lieutenant Bela Swain & Commander Alexander 'Alex' Knight

2,170 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Lost Horizons
Location: Observation Lounge

Sam sent a message to all senior staff to join her in the observation lounge. Now that they were back home and the mercenaries were locked in their own universe, the Calypso had new orders.

She arrived first and set out her usual array of fruits and pastries. The replicator was available for anyone who wanted a drink.

Bela arrived in the lounge, beaming a smile. The moment that she got in the lounge, she spied Sam, and gave her a very warm hug. "Good day, Commodore! How are we feeling today?"

"We're feeling well," Sam replied after hugging Bela back. "Good to see you so chipper."

"I would ask, have you ever seen me not 'chipper,' but I know that you are one of the few people who have seen me on a bad day. I just hope that the rest of the crew is feeling well, too."

"As far as I know they are," Sam replied. "But I rely on the senior officers to tell me if there are problems as I can't talk with everyone on a weekly basis." She smiled at the counselor. "And they always have you to talk to if any of the crew needs emotional support."

"That's right!" Bela responded enthusiastically. "And you have me to talk to, if you want, too. But don't you worry, I will do everything I can for everyone. We're going to be one happy family."

Sam smiled and headed to the conference table.

Joren walked in at his usual brisk pace, saw Bela clinging on to the Commodore, and with the corners of his mouth curled into a slight smile said "Commodore, Councillor." As he made his way to the replicator in the corner. "Raktajino. Black." - Making sure he was holding the hot beverage as an impromptu shield against any impromptu hugs.

"Hello, Joren," Sam said, stepping back so Bela could give him a hug. "Your turn."

Bela did her duty. Full of smiles, she gave Joren a warm hug. "How are you this morning, Commander?"

Carefully holding the cup with the hot beverage in one hand while awkwardly hugging back with the other, Joren answered "I'm good, thank you." While giving the eye of slight entertained betrayal to Sam.

Slipping in to the room, Aenar was munching on a particularly satisfying Bajoran pastry. It's the small things, he thought to himself with a contented sigh. Spying, and scenting, the raktajino in Joren's hand, he was reminded he was in a serious caffeine deficit. Making his way with a friendly nod to everyone he approached the free replicator and produced the strongest Rigellian coffee he could.

'The stars look right for a change,' he said brightly, knowing that the constellations in the Mirror Universe were exactly the same, if entirely wrong. 'I'm glad we're back.'

Bela noticed Aenar slip into the room without getting a hug from her. She wondered why he did that, so she called it out. In a sweet, friendly betrayed voice, she asked, Aenar, "Do you not like my hugs anymore, Lieutenant Torek?"

"I'd never turn down one of your hugs Bela," Aenar replied, a playful smile splitting his lips. "But you were so occupied with Commander Tal's hug, I thought I'd get my drink in first. I'm sure that's allowed, right? Or are there some rules that I'm unaware of?"

"It is difficult to hug, when you have a drink in your hand," Bela shot back, as if it was obvious. "Perhaps when you put it down...."

"Didn't stop you from hugging me." Joren noted dryly, sitting at the table, sipping his raktajino.

Bela's eyes narrowed at Joren, warning him to stay out of this conversation. Had anyone ever seen that look from her before? She then smiled pleasantly at Joren and said, "Perhaps that is because Lieutenant Torek likes to give me much closer hugs? I have no desire to have his drink spilled on me."

"Noted," Joren said, slightly raising his arms in an apologetic matter. He did also note for himself to check up on the councillor, she doesn't usually respond this... firm.

Setting his coffee down on the table, Aenar sighed, and gave Bela a smile, 'I'm mug-free if you'd like me to rectify the oversight of not giving you a hug, Counsellor.'

Bela enthusiastically wrapped herself around Aenar, placing her head on his shoulders and squeezing him lightly into her. "Now this.... This is much better, Lieutenant Torek. Your apology is accepted."

A warm feeling spread across Aenar's shoulders. Maybe she is right about this physical contact thing he mused to himself, before lightly disengaging and looking down at her. 'I hope the hug met your exacting standards, Bela,' he said with a wink.

"I'd say that this was a definite improvement," Bela answered with a satisfied smile. "But, practice always makes perfect."

Flashing Bela a grin, Aenar replied quickly, 'I'm always down to practice, Counselor, you know that.' He let go of her elbows, picked up his coffee and asked, 'do you need a drink?'

"I know what?" Bela asked. "I have not seen you practicing. As to a drink, perhaps after everyone has arrived. After all, hugs must be given to all!"

'Understandable, just make sure you keep hydrated - a hydrated hugger is a happy hugger,' Aenar chuckled, then leaned in quickly, 'I don't practice hugging with just anyone. I need someone who's ... experienced, y'know?

Bela blinked. Who was not experienced at hugging? Just what was he saying? That he does not get intimate with virgins? It was a bit too abstract for Bela. "I'm afraid I don't," she replied perplexed.

His grin widened and he laughed off the misunderstanding. 'Just that you're a good hugger. Don't worry about it, Bela.' Internally his confidence faltered and he wondered if he'd mistook Risian culture for a more specific interest in himself. '

Happily, Bela answered, "OK! I won't!" and headed off to the next person to hug.

Aenar chuckled as he went, then cast wistful glance in her direction before remembering his cup of coffee and heading to retrieve it and take his place at the table.

Alex walked up to the door and stopped, taking a moment to adjust his Starfleet Security Uniform, before taking a deep breath. He hadn't worn a Security Uniform in a long time, and to be fair, he missed the all black with silver trim he used when on the Prowler. The only thing he made sure to keep with him was the holster to the weapon he used. Although the holster was empty, having it on made him feel a little better.

He finally stepped in, giving the others who had already arrived, a nod and small smile. He didn't know any of them, so he was the new guy, even though he had worked in Starfleet since the Niagara. Although, he and his team weren't well known, they all grew to enjoy working for Starfleet in this universe. Not every solution ended in a fight. Alex enjoyed the moments where cooler heads prevailed and he learned more about a species from this Universe. Learning how different they were from the placed he was raised in.

Alex immediately made his way to the replicator and made himself Vulcan Mocha coffee. He picked up the mug and took a sip, taking it in, before letting out a smile. The hot coffee hit the spot in the right sort of way. It relaxed him, even for only a moment, allowing him to forget the butterflies in his stomach concerning being part of a crew again.

Bela flitted over to Alex. She got there just Alex turned with the coffee. She carefully gave him a hug. "Welcome! Please make yourself comfortable!"

"Oh?!" Alex said as he felt the welcoming embrace of Bela. He surely wasn't expecting a greeting like this, but it did make him feel better about being new to the crew. He let out a slight chuckle and slowly wrapped his arms around Bela, careful not to spill any of his coffee on her, before replying. "Greetings have certainly changed since the last time I served on a Starfleet Ship." He said with a bit of a soft chuckle before pulling away to look at her. "I can certainly get used to it." He gave her a smile and added. "Commander Alexander Knight... Alex if you prefer. Pleased to meet you, Miss." He eased his coffee away from his right hand, grabbing it carefully with his left, before offering his right hand to her.

"I'm so glad that you approve of my greetings," Bela replied, slowly extracting herself from Alex, while allowing her hands to linger as she released him, leaving her hand in his right hand. "Any time that you require some attention, just feel free to come by and meet with me. I'm our Chief Counselor and it is my job to make certain everyone is functioning at their best, Alex. You may call me Bela. My official title is Lieutenant Bela Swain and I am at your service."

As he took the coffee mug from his left hand and back to his right, Alex replied with a smile. "Sometimes, a hug, is the best cure for what ails you, Counselor Bela." He added a slight chuckle before continuing. "My wife, when I've had a particularly bad day, will come right up to me and give me a hug. It always puts a smile on my face and starts to bring me back up again. So, you'll never catch me not accepting a one."

Bela beamed at Alex. "You are very wise to recognize the healing power of touch. Most of my counseling philosophy is based upon it, so feel free to come to me, should you ever need anything. Your wife can do the same. I am here for everyone. All that is ours is yours," the Risian counselor concluded.

"I'm not sure if my wife is going to be joining us, Bela." Alex replied, smiling slightly, as his eyes went to the door. He wasn't sure where Alora was. Maybe she had some kind of important thing she needed to address at the moment that couldn't wait. Maybe she was on her way. Regardless, if she needed him, Alex knew she wouldn't hesitate to call on him. Anything else, Alora was more than capable of dealing with it herself. "If she doesn't, I will be sure to relay the message to her. If she does, by all means, feel free to wrap your arms around her. Just be sure to let go to leave some for her me, alright?"

"I will happily wrap my arms around anyone that desires it," Bela answered. "But where is your wife? I hope that all is well with her." The Counselor's eyes grew as large as a sad puppy dog, expressing her concern.

"I am sure she'll be joining us." Alex replied, looking over to the door curiously, before joining Bela's gaze again with a smile. "If she doesn't show, Counselor, I am sure she'll have her reasons. We've had a brief discussion about coming on board. It'll be good for us to spend time like this together. We've spent a large amount of time on the Prowler, my ship, with my team. She's been our home and it tends to get a bit tight some times. A ship like this, the Calypso, would be a great break from all that. Open spaces. Our own quarters. Places to spend time together. Like a vacation... but not." He added a slight chuckle. "We're great... as far as I know. If we weren't, Alora is the type to tell me, so I'll find a way to fix it or work through it with her."

Alora arrived a moment later. "Sorry. I got sidetracked on my way here."

She went over to Alex and smiled at Bela. "Hello again, counselor."

The moment that Alora said hello, Bela moved over to Alora and gave her a warm hug. "Hello, Alora, I hope all is well.

Alora hugged her back. "Yes, all is indeed well. Thank you."

"I'm so glad to hear that," Bela replied enthusiastically. "Please let me know if there is absolutely anything that I can do for you. All that is mine is yours."

"Risian?" Alora asked with a smile.

"Yes, I am," Bela replied proudly.

Alora nodded. "Nice. Even though I've been with the Calypso for a bit, I feel like I need to introduce myself now that we're officially assigned here. I'm Alora, and I'll be working in intel."

(To be continued...)

Commodore Samantha York
Commanding Officer
USS Calypso

Lieutenant Bela Swain
Chief Counselor
USS Calypso

Commander Joren Tal
Executive Officer
USS Calypso

Lieutenant Aenar Torek
Chief Science Officer
USS Calypso

Commander Alexander Knight
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Calypso

Commander Alora Knight
Assistant Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Calypso

 

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