Infinity's End - Part Five

Posted on Mon Jan 31st, 2022 @ 5:09am by Fleet Captain Heather Walking Bear & Lieutenant General Jhamal Sh'Trell & 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.

McTaggart knew his wife would settle in quickly and while he would miss her company, he still had a job to do while he flew the shuttle over the top of the massive storm that was presently covering half of this continent in snow. He regarded the cloud tops in silence while he flew the shuttle. McTaggert found that he was fortunate as he reached his destination right ahead of the primary storefront. "Fairview tower control, this is civilian shuttle Six-Echo Three Eight. Requesting permission to land.?"

The response came back. "Copy that shuttle six-echo eight, permission to land granted to land on tower pad three six. Are you starfleet marines or are you a civilian?"

"I'm Starfleet marines, this is my personal shuttle that I'm using today," McTaggart answered. "I'm Colonel James McTaggart, today is my first day."

"Copy that Colonel. Can I see your orders?" came the answer. McTaggert answered as he retrieved his PADD and sent his file to the tower controller. "Uploading now."

"Understood Colonel. While you are landing. we'll get this issue sorted out so you won't need to deal with this again... Security regs. I'm sorry Colonel for the drama..." he added ion an apologetic tone of voice as if expecting McTaggart to lose his temper. If that's what he was expecting then he would be disappointed. "Understood Fairview tower control. I have the beacon and I'm on approach."

"Understood. Your glide path is good. Come on down..." came the answer.

A few minutes went by as McTaggart landed his shuttle, he secured it as several marine techs moved forward. "Colonel, we're here to give your shuttle the once over and make sure it's marked properly." the leader explained why he and his men were present.

"Thanks, Chief," McTaggart answered. "Of you have any issues. call me k?"

"Willdo Colonel. Thanks." and with that, he and his men went to work as a shorter then average Andorian shen with a stocky look to her approached. "Good Morning Colonel." she addressed him.

"General. Ma'am. I was not expecting you." McTaggart answered quickly.

"I like meeting my staff when they arrive, its more causal then me calling for you to come to meet with me in my office. It's also more conducive to making a friendly atmosphere, it keeps down the stress levels, the heart attacks of 'what did I do now, the general wants me'" she explained. "So... I figured I've come top you. Isn't the weather lovely... All in all, the weather is trying very hard to make me feel like I'm on Andoria..." she added.

"Its way too cold for me," McTaggart answered. "I'm used to starship assignments."

"Perfectly reasonable," Sh'Trelll answered with a smile on her face. "Any concerns I should know before you head to work?"

"Nope," McTaggart answered.

"Excellent. I'll show to you your office and explain the particular of your assignment, follow me please.?" and with that, the Andorian turned and walked out the door, McTaggart followed in silence.