Infinity's End - Part Four

Posted on Mon Jan 31st, 2022 @ 5:09am by Fleet Captain Heather Walking Bear & Master Chief Petty Officer Malcolm Rainier & Commodore Jordan Borodin & Colonel James "Gryphon" McTaggert

Mission: Mission 108: Grains of Sand
Location: Various Locations - Utgarde IV
Timeline: 0800Hrs - October 28th, 2393

Commander Heather Walking Bear finished the last of her breakfast as her gaze crossed that of her husband, as they knew today would be an interesting day for them both, they would be taking their new postings as the Executive officer of Vanguards ground base facilities. She reached down and tugged on her boots as she quickly cast her gaze over the four children, all presently seated around the kitchen table, all of them would be remaining home on this morning as it was the middle of winter and they all needed more time to adjust before heading off to the local schools. Marie had been uncharacteristically quiet as she stared out the window while she munched on a slice of toast. The sixteen-year-old had only said a half dozen words all morning and it was odd for her to be so quiet.

Larkin was almost twelve as she regarded her big sister. "Marie?"

"Mmm... What... Sorry... I was..." Marie paused as it sounded stupid, even to her.

"Absent," James commented. "It's peacefully... isn't it?" he commented, referring to his sibling's mental state before he indicated the weather outside.

The scene taking place outside was something out of a winter wonderland, winter on this world seemed to start in September and last about there months which meant this was the coldest part of winter, the wind outside howled as the snow was blown around while it fell. "A blizzard... perfect." John who was aged nine commented. "Maybe they'll call a snow-day and we get the day off..." he added in a rather cheery tone of voice.

"Maybe," Marie answered softly. "If so then I'm going to go back to bed..."

Heather Walking Bear regarded her four children. "Anyway, you guys still got stuff to do today. Please try to get it all done..." she commented. "Your dad and I both still have to go report in so... Try to get along and try not to get into any fights..." she commented as she pulled on her new uniform jacket. She turned to her husband. "What of you?"

"We'll see if the marines will operate in this weather..." he commented. "It's only fifteen below zero outside, that's not too bad."

"Whats the windchill Dad?" James inquired of his father.

"The wind chill makes it closer to minus sixty celsius," McTaggart answered with an air of indifference. Just then the house com system beeped. "Alert, incoming alert."

"Play message," Marie commented before her parents could stop her.

"Due to weather warnings, a snow day has been declared." the house computer intoned. "A severe weather warning has been issued for the colonial homesteads of Utgarde Central. Utgarde Highland and Utgarde Plains... Strong winds combined with the snow may reduce visibilities to zero. Conditions should gradually improve by Friday evening. Limit outdoor activities until then." the house computer explained. "Repeat-"

"Computer, end message," James commented softly.

Heather regarded her husband as she picked out her winter jacket, a set of gloves, and a hat, there was no sense reporting for duty while freezing her ass off for it. "So how do I look.?"

James answered his mother by waving his hand from side to side as if she looked somewhat decent. "Oh, thanks, Jim... You're a lot of help."

"You asked," James answered his mother's response with his response.

Heather sighed softly. "James. you ready to go?" she asked of her husband.

McTaggert rose to his feet from where he was sitting. "Let's get going... Behave you four." and with that, husband and wife took their leave from their four children and departed. Marie rose to her feet. "I'm going back to bed..."

Larkin smiled. "I wanna see what the house computer has for games..."

"Sounds good to me," James commented. "I'll go with you." as John added by saying he was heading back to bed. Much like his big sister.

Meanwhile, McTaggart and Walking Bear boarded the family shuttle and departed the house. McTaggert would take the shuttle with him and drop Walking Bear off at the Utgarde ground base. The time came ad went for her to be dropped off which was done with a minimum of fuss as Walking Bear requested and was beamed onto the base while McTaggart flew to his assignment which was half a continent away.

Walking Bear smiled as she pushed back the hood on her jacket. She produced a PADD. "Good Morning Chief..."

"Good Morning Commander. Got your orders for me?" he inquired, in a friendly tone of voice.

"I sure do." Walking Bear handed the man the PADD in her hand without concern or question. The Master Chief reviewed her orders. "Ahh, welcome to Utgarde base ma'am. We've been expecting you for some time now." he paused. "I'm Malcolm Rainer, welcome aboard," he added as the two of them shook hands in the human style of address.

"Its nice to be appreciated." Walking Bear answered. "I'm Heather Walking Bear and I'm not overly formal Master Chief, I won't be too demanding of you," she explained. "This is my first time as an Exec for anyone."

"Well, I happen to know that Jordan Borodin will be happy to meet you," Rainer explained. "Shall we go to meet her?"

"Sure. I live off the base so I won't need to take time to settle in, I already did all that..." Walking Bear commented. "Today, I came to work."

"Excellent. The skipper is in her office. Right, this way ma'am." and with that. he led her out of the transporter room.