A-Camping We Will Go

Posted on Sat Jan 9th, 2021 @ 5:25pm by Major Charlena Dilucca & Lieutenant Commander John Pearce

5,091 words; about a 25 minute read

Mission: [Joint Mission]Happy ever after
Location: Planet's surface
Timeline: MD 004 - 1600 08-04-2396

ON:

An hour later John and Charlie were on the planet's surface. They had picked up the equipment they needed from the colonel aboard ship and now were making their way toward an area he had found with help of the ship's computer. They could have beamed directly to the coordinates but agreed that it would be more interesting to hike in instead. According to John's scanner they were almost there and it wasn't long before they arrived at a rather large clearing in the forest with a moderate-sized stream. The stream ran along one side of the clearing for about fifty meters or so before disappearing back into the forest.

"Well here we are," John said as he shrugged his backpack off his shoulders and dropped it, along with the bag he carried, to the ground. "What do you think?"

"I think it's perfect," Charlie dropped her backpack too. The warm sun warmed her already tanned skin. She put her hand over her head to look over the area. She then turned to her stuff. "Ok let's set up camp, it will take a little, so we can relax." She smiled.

John nodded in agreement then began to empty the contents of his backpack onto the ground. With the two of them working together it didn't take long to get their tent set up and everything squared away. The tent wasn't very large but it would be more than adequate for the two of them. They had stowed their sleeping bags and their duffles containing clothes and such in the tent and then spread a blanket in front of the tent opening for them to sit on.

Once they were finished John turned his attention to her. "Fancy a walk in the forest to do a bit of exploring before it gets dark?"

Charlie held out her arm. "Let's go." She looked at the trail up ahead as John hooked up with her arm. "This place smells nice. And the weather is great." She breathed in the air. "So do you have a route for us to got. I don't want to go too far out of the camp."

"No I don't really have any particular route in mind," he answered. "Although I did notice a stream on the edge of the clearing ahead. I thought we might check it out. Who knows, if it's deep enough we might want to take a swim tomorrow if the weather is as nice as it is now."

"Let's go then." She started walking, slowly, as she didn't want to drag him along the path. "It's so nice and quiet out here." She said looking around the scenery.

John didn't have to be Betazoid to sense that Charlie was eager to begin exploring. As they walked along the path it became apparent to him that they were evidently not the first to pass this way - a fact that was borne out by the bridge built out of what appeared to be native trees. "Looks like we're not the first to be here" he said as they reached the rough-hewn bridge. "I think this is rather quaint, don't you?"

Charlie wasn't so surprised. "According to the information on the planet, the Altans, the natives that live here, come out of the waters several times a year to hunt. I would imagine they put the bridge here. They don't have many structures of their own on the land as they live primarily under water. They do use primitive things to hunt, according to their culture it is to follow in the footsteps of their ancestors." She smiled as she looked to the bridge. She had great respect to these advanced species keeping up with old traditions.

He looked around for a moment, taking in their surroundings. The stream wasn't very wide - probably only 4 or 5 yards at most, with gently flowing water. He could clearly see the bottom which made it difficult to judge the depth. For all he knew it could be six inches or six feet.

"So what would you like to do? Cross the bridge and explore the forest or go down to the stream and maybe dabble our toes in the water?" He looked at her as he awaited her decision.

Charlie had already gone to the bridge and had started to inspect the bridge. She didn't really hear him. she then said, "These Altans do good work, I am impressed. This bridge must be very old, but I guess they maintain the bridge very well. Look, they repaired the bridge here, the materials look newer than here. I think with all the maintenance the bridge underwent, it would be impossible to determine how old the bridge is. Incredible." She walked onto the bridge. "The bridge doesn't even screeches or swing. Let's see what else we can find on the other side." She started to cross the bridge.

John quickly caught up to her where she stood on the bridge. "It's really impressive workmanship," he said in agreement. "I've seen bridges similar to this back on Earth that didn't seem nearly as well built." He then reached down and took her hand. "Let's see what we can find in the forest, shall we?"

They walked to the other side of the bridge. There isn't much that points to a civilization. But the path they walk on, seems to be walked for many years. A little further ahead they find a sign on a tree. Charlie can't read it as it is in a different language, but it looks pretty old. The letters on it look like ancient greek, but there are differences. A little further from the sign is a little pool. Charlie walks up to it with John behind her. She looks in to the pool, but she can't see a bottom. Suddenly she jumped back. She looked intently at the pool. "I thought I saw something moving in the pool. And it wasn't the size of a goldfish."

She only just finished that sentence when a splash of water came out of the pool. And then a humanoid came out of the splash. Seeing her curves it was a female. She had long hair and her skin was a little light greyish. Her hair was black and wet, and hung over her shoulders. She seem to wear sandals or flip flops. And she had this blue greenish dress. But when Charlie looked closer the dress wasn't a dress. The dress was made of fish skin. It was her skin. This must be an Altan.

The Altan female smiled to them. "Sorry if I startled you. My name is Dinah. I am the Altan guide today. Colonel Sheppard had already you would be out here. I was send to see if you needed something."

John had followed Charlie to the edge of the pool. He had heard her say that she thought she saw something in the pool and he stared intently into its' depths in an attempt to see as well. Because he was staring so intently, he was started when something broke the surface of the water - and it certainly wasn't a fish. "What the..." he muttered, taking a half step backwards before realizing it was a humanoid female. His first thought was that she vaguely resembled what had been called a mermaid in Earth's history. But mermaids had been proven to be fictitious so he quickly realized that she must be an Altan. He listened as she spoke, then said "I don't think we need anything but if you're a guide we'd be honored to have you tell us about your world." Then, realizing that they had not introduced themselves he said "I am John and this is Charlie."

Dinah smiled to the both of them. "I know," She said, "Lieutenant Commander John Pearce, Chief Medical officer of the Shanghai and Major Charlena Dilucca, Chief Security Officer of the USS Shanghai. Colonel Sheppard was so kind to give me your names."

Charlie was impressed by her appearance.

Dinah started speaking again. "We call our planet Alter, but you called it Haven colony. We lived on this planet for many years. We were created by the creator, she named herself 'mother', but it was our ancient God Tideap who lead us to the sea. We have lived under the sea for a thousand years now. Our King is Taesh and his rightful heir is princess Milah. They currently reside in our great city Nephthys." She then moved her hands around pointing at the forest. "This forest are out hunting grounds. This where we hunt and train. But currently it's the season of rest, so that is why there aren't any Altans here this time around."

Charlie looked around, "Wonderful..such an interesting culture. Is it possible to visit your world?"

Dinah bowed her head and said, "I am sorry, at this time we won't allow outsiders in our underwater settlements. This is against out highest laws. But I know there are discussion in the capitol to change that. But I can show you around our hunting and training grounds."

Charlie nodded. "That would be fine. I understand."

At the word 'hunting' John's attention was caught. He thought back to the deer hunts he had gone on with his dad, uncles, and cousins. It had been many years since their last hunt. "What do you hunt?" John asked. "And is it permitted for offworlders to hunt here?" He hadn't noticed any game animals during their walk so far but if he was being honest with himself his attention had been more on Charlie than anything else.

Dinah smiled. "Our forests house a lot of wildlife that seem to be living in harmony together. We don't have many predators here." She pointed to the mountains on the horizon. "The mountains houses some species akin to your mountain lions and kodiak bears. While the worse is home to birds, rodents, as well animals akin to your boars and moose. Our hunters take great pleasure in hunting them." She then thought about the second question. "We do allow of worlders to hunt here. This have to be by out rules. Which means you can only hunt when its the hunt season."

She walked up along the path and led them along the path to what looked like a lodge. "This was built by Colonel Sheppard. He provided the schematic and helped us find the materials to built it." He uses it every season, he loves to hunt with us. My people will use the puddles that are spread throughout the forest to rest. We are water creatures after all!"

"Really? Colonel sheppard?" Charlie asked.

Dinah nodded. "I believe the Generals and the Admiral sometimes attend. And Commander Kitara seems to enjoy the hunts as well."

When he had planned this camping trip John had not considered the possibility that they might be intruding upon someone's private property - nor that they might need permission to camp there. But now having met one of the planet's natives, he realized now that they might well be trespassing. "We're camping in a tent back up the path a ways," John said to the guide. "I hope we're not intruding."

Dinah shook her head. "It's quite alright, Commander, Colonel Sheppard let us know in advanced you were coming. Outside of the hunting season we allow outsiders to stay here. We have rules though, to respect our land and customs. You staying in a tent is within out standing rules."

Then, remembering what she had said about hunting, he continued. "When are your hunting seasons, if I may ask? And what type of hunting equipment do you allow?"

"Our hunting seasons are twice in an Earth year. During the spring and fall season. The hunting seasons take place over a time span of six weeks in total," Dinah explained. "The allowed hunting equipment is projectile weapons, such as your Earths rifles and shot guns, bow and arrows, and hunting knives." She walked a little on. "If you like to go on a hunt with our people, you can always request it with Colonel Sheppard. He always joins us, and he knows all the rules and customs. He also leads the outsiders hunting parties.

"In the past I've hunted with rifles and such" John said. But now I prefer bowhunting. I think it is more sporting. Perhaps I will speak to the Colonel about a trip when the time comes. But for now, what attractions are around here that might be of interest to us? Are there any things like ancient relics or things related to your culture or history?"

Dinah pointed along the path. "This way is one of our oldest temple. We have been preserving it for hundreds of years. Ground caretakers like me, take care of it. The temple was build by our land dwelling ancestors, before we returned to the ocean." She walked the path as the couple followed her.

Several minutes later they came to the ground. On the other side the temple rose up. It looked big and majestic. Almost like a palace. Dinah pointed around the grounds. "Back in the days the temple ground covered hundreds of acres. Most of the wooden and stone barracks and living quarters have long since gone and most of the grounds have been taken back by the forest. Only the temple is still intact. The temple was set up to worship the mother, the creator of our people. She put us on land, but nearly one thousand years ago we went from land dwelling to ocean dwelling. And we have been under water ever since."

John was finding the temple, and the story their guide was telling about it, to be very fascinating. He had heard of life originating in the sea and moving onto land but he thought it was rare thar the opposite happened. "If you don't mind my asking, why did your people decide to become water-dwellers? Was it a matter of choice or did something happen that caused it?"

"You might say it's a bit of both," Dinah explained. "You see, the Dominion wasn't the first main power in this quadrant of the Galaxy. So you might say the Altans are the most technological advanced race in the Gamma quadrant. When we were first created by Mother, we had to deal with the Iconians and other races that have long since gone. Mother protected us as best as she could. But our people cane awareness much earlier than she expected and we knew that Mother couldn't stay with us forever. We had to eventually fend for ourselves. At the time we got to that point we had already decided that best way for us to defend ourselves if we lived under water. After the attack of a now dead race, we were able to fight them off, but that was the moment we really submerged. Our technology was already underwater based. So before Mother left she altered our species, but so that we could also get on land if we so desired. With the rise of the Dominion we had shielded our planet and remained neutral, we don't venture much outside the planet ever since. It was only 10 years ago when we opened up for exploring again that we encountered the USS Freya."

"That's understandable" John agreed, upon hearing her explanation why her species took to the depths. "After all it's harder for an enemy to attack you if they cannot see you," he added with a slight chuckle. He couldn't help but be drawn to the appearance of the temple. It was awesome - made even moreso by what seemed, to him at least, to be in an unlikely setting. After all he never expected to find a temple deep within a forest.

"Is this a monument to your people or is it a religious temple?" he asked. "And are we permitted to go inside?"

"It's both," Dinah explained. "During the hunting season it's used as a place of worship and we even have services here. Outsiders are welcome in the temple after they paid tribute to the mother." They walked up to the entrance and a statue of a beautiful woman rose up before the entrance. Dinah walked to it and crossed her arms over her chest and bowed in front of the statue. "This is Mother. She is life. Sometimes we can feel her presence still lingers here. But we have not seen her in a thousand years." She then pointed at the altar at the feet of the statue. "Outsiders for the first time must pay tribute to her. You can do that putting your hand and stating your name and species name. And if possible the name of the seeder that created your species."

Charlie looked at the altar and then looked to Dinah questioning and asked, "What do you mean with Seeder?"

"Mother is from a non corporeal race known as the seeders. They create civilizations throughout the universe., they haven been doing it for millions of years. If you don't know, it's not required."

Charlie then put her hand on the altar. "Charlena Dilucca, human from Earth."

Before John could place his hand next to Charlie, Dinah put her hand on his shoulder. She lowered her hand as her glowing eyes looked at him. "Make sure you name all your species." She smiled.

John was impressed by the fact that their guide seemed to know that his heritage was a mixture of two species. Was she telepathic? If she was, he had not sensed any sort of probing of his mind and he certainly wouldn't attempt to probe her with his limited telepathic Betazoid abilities. To do so without her permission would be unethical at best. At worst it could be considered an invasion of her privacy or, depending on her cultural beliefs, it could be seen as mental rape. So, meeting her gaze, he simply nodded before placing his hand on the altar next to Charlie's. "John Pearce, Human and Betazoid from Earth," he said slowly. Then looking at their guide with a slight grin, he gave a subtle nod toward Charlie before looking at their hands on the altar. "This, uh...this doesn't mean we're like, uh...married or something, dormes it?" He was pretty sure it didn't and what he had said was just to see what Charlie's reaction would be.

Charlie looked up to John and wanted to say something, but Dinah just said, "No, just like Earth tradition, a marriage can only be preformed by a high priestess of the temple. And even though I am a high priestess, you'll need a lot more for matrimonial union. Consent being one of the. No, this is a tribute to moth..." As she stopped and looked up the statue. Charlie shot up as well.

Charlie closed her eyes as she inhaled, "the roses from my garden, where I used to live." She said. She used to love those roses, but they're gone now. Her father moved to an apartment after her sister died. She never been to her old place ever since.

John sniffed the air lightly as he realized he was smelling something he had not smelled in many years. Charlie said it was roses but what he sensed was something completely different. "Not roses. It's purple sage. I haven't smelled it this strong since I was a boy on the ranch back in Texas."

Suddenly a breeze started rustling the leaves around them and an Asian human female appeared before them. She smiled warmly to them. Normally Charlie would find the sudden appearance of someone threatening, but somehow she felt very comfortable with this woman.

Dinah immediately knelled in front of the woman and said, keeping her head down, "Mother, I am so honored."

Charlie looked from the statue to the woman in front of them. She didn't look anything like the statue. How could Dinah point her as the Mother?

"I am appearing to you as the woman you before you, but to her I appear as the woman her people have known for many decades as Mother." A soft, melodious and gentle voice spoke in their minds. "I am mother Rose," she continued, and I am the seeder of the Altans as well as the Florians. I thank you for your tribute, and grand you access to my temples on this world and off."

Charlie looked to John. "Does she mean we are also allowed access to the Florian temples as well?" She looked questioning a moment to Dinah who still was kneeling in front of her deity.

Mother Rose hovered to her and held out her hand to Dinah. "My child, please stand up and be awake." Dinah looked up and tilted her head. She then slowly got up. "Thank you, mother, I am awake, and walk the light of your teachings."

"I think that's exactly what she means," John answered. He had never been particularly religious but this was something unlike anything he had ever experienced before. To coin a phrase it was...fascinating... "I wonder what we'll find in there?" Pearce asked, indicating the temple with a slight nod.

Charlie walked up to the entrance. "Let's find out."

John then turned his attention to Dinah. "May we go in now?" He hated to seem impatient but he was anxious to see what was inside the temple.

"Yes, of course," Said Dinah. She walked in to the temple herself. She had been here many times, but each times she was amazed when she walked in. Charlie followed behind her. Dinah lit the lights in the room. "You won't find any technology in here. Everything is as it was back in the old days." The light from inside and from the windows up above lit up a nice inner room. Up ahead there was an alter and on the wall images. Dinah pointed to it. These are the stories of my ancestors. It tells of the last great battle with outsiders before we submerged. It was an enemy we suspect that is long dead now. This was before the rise of the Dominion. I don't know much about this enemy. Scholars and Archaeologists have tried to better understand this enemy, but when looking for evidence with Starfleet scientist, it appeared the enemy has long since gone. It's most likely they lived on during the reign of the Dominion and were later wiped out by the Dominion or they wiped themselves out. If the latter is the case, remnants of their technology is still around and that could pose a danger, specially now with the rise of the Crescent."

John followed Dinah and Charlie into the temple. He couldn't say that he had ever been overly religious - especially in these later years - but for some reason he seemed to feel an aura about this place. The temple felt majestic yet it wasn't overwhelming. In some areas it seemed rather plain in fact. Yet he was still captivated by it. The images on the walls were beautiful and even though John didn't know much about this planet's history, he was still fascinated by them. "Perhaps like Earth almost did during the Eugenics Wars or during World War III..." he mused. "Centuries ago humans almost eradicated themselves with nuclear weapons" he said to Dinah. "Fortunately we survived as a species and were able to learn from a horrific experience. It was shortly after World War III that contact with the Vulcans occurred and things began to improve." He thought for a moment while continuing to look around, then asked "What is left of their technology? Has anyone from the Federation been able to examine it?"

Dinah shrugged. "I am not sure, I know there are some vessels dispatched. Nothing conclusive. But didn't your ship bring back some questionable technology. I haven't read all the reports yet, but it does sound like you might have found their technology. It might be hard, they were very much spread, and we don't know how much the Dominion has in their possession and how much maybe in the hands of the Crescent. They were a widely spread species. I don't even think they were limited to this quadrant."

"I'm not sure what our ship may have as far as their technology," John said slowly. "I just recently joined the Shanghai and, not being a member of the science department..." he hesitated a beat before continuing. "At least not of that particular branch of science, I'm not sure of what may have been discovered." He then turned to Charlie. "Do you have any knowledge of that?"

Charlie listened to what she spoke about and then said, "There have been several technology we have come in contact with. One of which we destroyed, and the most recent one is and amulet or medallion, I am not sure, haven't seen the thing. But supposedly it is capable of changing people's DNA. I am in charge of security, I am not a science officer, but I think the item is of great security risk. Just like the device that had the crew of the Shanghai jumbled up. That really was something. I am glad the device was destroyed. But the soul swapper device was created by a this creepy merchant I hope I don't have to come across again. I have no problem flushing his head upside down in the toilet."

Dinah listened closely. "it is possible this merchant you spoke off used technology from this ancient species to create his device. I am also worried about the amulet you mentioned. Thank you for your report on this."She then walked to the entrance of the temple. "Please enjoy your stay, I have to go back to my rounds now. It was nice speaking to you. stay as long as you like." She then left the marine and the doctor alone.

John struggled to keep a straight face at what Charlie said about the toilet. He wasn't familiar with what had happened to the Shanghai's crewother than what he had seen in the ship's medical records. To Dinah he said "As I said before, I'm new to this crew and unfamiliar with what happened before. Obviously I need to study this further. We appreciate your telling us about your people's history and showing us this temple but the day is getting late. I think we should be getting back to our camp. I hope we will see you again before we leave your planet." Then, turning his attention to Charlie, he said "Are you ready to go?" He hoped he didn't sound rude, but there was something he wished to discuss with Charlie.

Charlie nodded. "It's nice here, but I think it's time to return to the camp. I am also hungry. "

It hadn't taken long for them to get back to their campsite and once there they'd had dinner then settled in for the evening. Now they were lying on the bed they had made, looking through the opening in the front of the tent. The planet's moon hung low in the starry sky and the air was crisp. Not cold, but definitely cooler than it had been earlier in the day. John and Charlie were close together, not touching but near enough that he could feel the warmth of her body. There was something he had been wanting to tell her all day but he wasn't quite sure how to say it. The best way he supposed was just to come straight out with it but he wondered if he should be so abrupt. His mind was whirling with indecision. So - stalling for time if he were honest with himself - he took a different approach. "Have you enjoyed our stay on the planet so far?"

She nodded. "Yes, I have, I love how we met up with an indigenous guide. Dinah seems very knowledgeable. I wonder if we see more of this species she mentioned. I fear their technology might be in the hands of the Crescent. If that is true, dark times are ahead."

"You may be right," John agreed after a moment. "And if that happens, I just hope that our technology is capable of dealing with it." He was genuinely concerned but he also knew he was making a bit of small talk in an effort to lead up to what he'd been wanting to tell her fir a while. But deep down he knew he couldn't put it off any longer - now was the time. So he took a deep breath to steady his nerves before beginning to speak slowly.

"I know we haven't known each other very long," he said. But in that time I've realized that sometimes you don't have to know someone a long time to form an opinion about them. And to realize your own inner feelings." *Damn, why was this so difficult to put into words...* he thought. He was more nervous than a cadet at an Admiral's review. Finally he just blurted out "What I'm trying to say is I think...no, I KNOW... I'm falling for you."

There! He had said it. Now he waited for her reaction.

Charlie was silent a moment to let those word work in on her. She always told herself not to fall so easily and quickly for anyone anymore. Not since...well she didn't even wanted to think back to him. But this seemed different. Everything felt different and she was given no judgement at all. Finally she replied, "That's good to know." She smiled. "I am not sure yet where I am yet, but I willing to explore it, with you."

"Then perhaps it would be best if we just let nature take its' course and see just how compatible we are," he said as he snuggled closer to her. It had been a long time since he'd held a woman this close, let alone felt as he felt about her. After the divorce from Peri he had thought he would never want an intimate relationship again, but things seemed to be different now. Much different in fact. He leaned in, intending to kiss her. "For now, let's just enjoy the moment..."


END:

---

Major Charlena Dilucca
Chief Tactical/Security Officer
Second Officer
USS Shanghai

LtCommander John Pearce, MD
Chief Medical Officer
USS Shanghai

Dinah
Altan guide
NPC Charlena Dilucca

 

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