Returning the Prisoners - Part II

Posted on Tue Dec 30th, 2025 @ 7:18am by Lieutenant Commander Damion Wolfe & Commodore Samantha York

1,261 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Broken Mirror
Location: Pridwen

[PREVIOUSLY]

The man tapped the combadge and replied. "Got it, Marcus. Let me know before you start interrogating them. I want to be there." Hart replied before tapping the combadge again and looking over to the two Starfleet Officers. "Well... Now that that is taken care of, shall we proceed?"

[CONTINUED]

"Yes, thank you." While Sam was curious to meet the captain and figure out why his voice was familiar, she was also eager to get back to the Calypso and then home before something else went wrong.

Karrion gestured to the door and was about to make his way toward it, before the transporter officer stopped him. He whispered something in his ears, which prompted a brow to raise on Hart's face. He looked over to Wolfe and said firmly. "You know, Commander? You won't be needing any of those weapons."

Damion looked to Sam, before turning back to Karrion. "I want to make sure me and my Captain return back to our ship."

Karrion nodded as two men with phaser rifles came into the transporter room. The First Officer raised his hand, signaling them to stand down, as he spoke calmly. "I get it, Commander Wolfe. People from our Universe aren't so easy to trust. I can promise you, there is no threat on board this ship. Not from her crew."

"You are friends of the Knights. We have no reason to mistrust you," Sam assured him. "My security officer is going off an abundance of caution."

The First Officer looked at the two of them before looking to the men who arrived. He gave them a nod, signaling them away. He turned back to the two and said. "For safety purposes, your phaser has been deactivated. You can keep the blades if it makes you feel safe, but as I said before, you won't be needing them. He gestured the doors before starting to move. "Please follow me."

With a nod, Sam fell in step behind the first officer.

As the group began walking through the corridor, it was hard not to notice how similar it was to the Starfleet layout. The only thing missing was the Terran Empire flags placed a few feet from each other. Except, there weren't any. All they saw was people walking about the corridors. Happy people. Families even. The Pridwen seemed to feel like any other Starfleet Starship, minus the uniforms.

Upon entering the turbolift, Damion couldn't help but ask. "How did you guys get a ship like this? Aren't you supposed to be rebel faction? I can't imagine the Terran Empire is just going to let you walk away with one of their ships. Especially a Sovereign Class like this."

Karrion leaned against the turbolift wall before ordering it. "Bridge." He said firmly as he crossed his arms over his chest. He gave a bit of a smile, before nodding his head. "That's a fair question, I guess." He said, adjusting himself a bit, before continuing on. "The Terran Empire were working on two ships like this. One with advanced weapons and one with advanced shields. It was a project that's been in the works for a very long time. New designs to conquer their enemies and gain more territory and resources."

"And you guys just strolled right in and took it.. without hesitation?" Wolfe questioned sarcastically.

"After we put together a plan and gathered as much information about the facility and its systems as possible." Karrion replied before adding. "Plus, it helped that we had an Admiral who was involved in the project on our side." He gave a bit of a smirk. "It was a hard fought battle. Many people lost their lives for this ship. There is a wall, in the lounge, dedicated to their memory and sacrifice. The Captain insisted on it. One of the first things he wanted done when we were safe and planning our refit. The Terran Empire was definitely angry, but they knew, this ship was prepared for a fight and how formidable it would be." He tapped the wall of the turbolift. "We've managed to keep her all this time. In turn, she hasn't let us down."

Damion nodded his head before asking the lingering question. "You said there were two ships. You guys grabbed one, the one with the firepower, I am guessing. What about the second? The one with the shields?"

Hart let out a bit of a chuckle, looking down slightly, before focusing on the two. "We destroyed the other in our exit. We weren't about to let them use it. If they were gonna make one, they would have to start over." He also gave a bit of a shrug. "And... you're mistaken. The Pridwen wasn't the one with the firepower. It was the one with the advanced shield and protection."

"You had two ships to pick from and you grabbed the one with the better shields?" Wolfe questioned.

"Yeah." Karrion replied. "Captain wanted to ensure we make it out of there and the best way to do that was grabbing the one that would provide the best protection. Sure, we could have grabbed the one with the firepower and fight our way out, but there was a high chance we wouldn't have made it out alive and more lives would have been lost. Believed me, a lot of people thought the same thing. Firepower was the best way to go and the necessary risk, but the Captain pleaded his case and... he made some great points."

"I would have gone for the one with the better shields myself," Sam added, as much for Damion as for Karrion.

Damion looked over to York and was preparing to ask the question that was clearly lingering in both their minds. When he turned back to look at Karrion, about to ask him point blank who their Captain was, the doors to the turbolift opened. Catching him off guard.

Sam stepped off the turbolift and looked around the bridge. It looked well-cared-for. She turned to Karrion. "Will you join us in the ready room, or shall we go there ourselves?"

"Unfortunately, Ma'am, I have other duties to attend to." He stepped off the turbolift and began to escort them to the Captain's Ready Room.

The bridge seemed busy. Just like any other Starfleet ship, except they weren't in uniforms. No Terran Empire flags or insignias at all on the ship. Even the plaque was missing. Symbolizing that this was truly a rogue ship under control of these people.

As Karrion approached the Ready Room Door, he tapped on the chime outside to indicate his arrival. He took a moment to look at Sam and Damion before asking. "Alex says your ship, The Calypso, is considered the flagship of the fleet? Is that true?"

"It is, but we're only one of several fleets in Starfleet," Sam replied. "And the Calypso is an explorer. Mostly."

The response brought a smile to Karrion's face. Damion immediately sensed something from him. A sincerity and longing feeling before the First Officer finally spoke.

"I'd love to be able to do that someday. Just fly into an unexplored area of space and just... explore." He chuckled slightly. "Discover new species. New life. Just a calming day to just learn something new and not have to worry about being attacked." He looked down slightly.

(To be continued...)

Karrion Hart
First Officer
Pridwen

Commodore Samantha York
Commander
USS Calypso

Lieutenant Commander Damion Wolfe
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Calypso

 

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