[Back Log] Echoes of Blood Pt 1
Posted on 20 Nov 2025 @ 4:50pm by Lieutenant Aev Flammia
1,597 words; about a 8 minute read
Mission:
The Displaced
Location: Starbase 369
Timeline: 2 Weeks Ago
= Starbase 369 =
Aev stood at the observation gantry and watched as the Arawyn eased out of her berth, thrusters firing in gentle bursts that sent ripples of light gliding across her hull. The ship rotated with slow, deliberate grace, aligning herself with the opening bay doors of the starbase.
There was something unsettling about watching your assignment, your crew, depart without you. A quiet ache settled in his chest as the Arawyn drifted forward, shrinking inch by inch against the vast frame of the docking bay. Still, he reminded himself, she would be waiting for him when he completed his short detour to Corvanis.
Beside him, Ignis observed the departure with a mischievous grin plastered across his projected features. Aev glanced down at the faintly glowing ring on his finger, the holoband’s light pulsing in its slow, steady rhythm. He wondered what, exactly, was swirling through the AI’s mind. So many questions. So many unknowns.
The Arawyn slipped through the massive bay doors, and the giant segmented panels began to slide shut behind her. That was his cue. Time to go.
Per the Captain’s request, he’d reserved a Type-2 Danube-class runabout for the journey to Corvanis. Eight days at warp 7.5. Long enough to think far too much and long enough for Ignis to either entertain him… or drive him completely mad. Aev exhaled once and turned away from the viewport. “Come on,” he said to Ignis. “Let’s get underway.”
Ignis’s grin widened. “Finally,” he said. “I was beginning to worry you’d forgotten we had a mystery to chase.”
The starbase’s promenade buzzed with life, vendors calling out their wares, officers weaving through crowds, the scent of Andorian spice buns drifting from a nearby bakery. As Aev and Ignis made their way toward the main Starfleet shuttle bay, a Ferengi shopkeeper latched onto him, insisting, rather loudly, that he absolutely had to try his “very lucky, entirely regulation, not-rigged-at-all” Dabo wheel.
Aev declined as politely as possible and continued on. He had barely taken ten more steps when a voice cut through the noise:
“AEV!”
He turned just in time to see a teal-collared blur skidding to a halt. Sam, fiery red hair flying everywhere, was bent double, hands braced on her knees as she gulped in air.
“When I saw the Arawyn on the station registry,” she managed between breaths, “I thought, great, I finally get to see you! But then…” she pointed wildly toward the docking ring “I watched her pulling out just as my transport was docking, and I thought, well, that’s it, I’ve missed him again.”
She straightened suddenly, squinting at him with mock accusation. “Then, while I’m disembarking, I think I see you, which made no sense because your ship was literally leaving the station.” Her eyes narrowed further. “So tell me… why are you still here? Did you get fired already?”
Ignis slid a step forward, hands clasped behind his back in a posture of exaggerated primness. “Oh, please, Sam,” he drawled, giving her a knowing smile. “If anyone had the authority to fire him, it would’ve been you, and even you couldn’t find enough paperwork to justify it on the Charon.”
Sam blinked, then her expression lit up. “Ignis! I didn’t even see you there.”
Ignis placed a hand over his heart in mock-offense. “You wound me. After all those late nights listening to you rant about supply officers who labeled everything ‘Miscellaneous’ and how Aev ‘broods like it’s a competitive sport,’ I’d hoped I made more of an impression.” His smile softened just enough to show the familiarity beneath the jokes. “It’s good to see you again, Sam.”
“Sam,” Aev said, genuine surprise coloring his voice. He shot Ignis a flat look. “And ignore him. You know how he gets. What are you doing here? I thought you were still assigned to the Charon.”
Sam chuckled, still catching her breath. She pressed a hand to her chest, straightening up. “I was at a conference. It ended early, well, technically I left early because it was fucking boring. So, I decided to head back.”
Ignis nodded solemnly. “I can confirm. Sam trapped in a conference is a humanitarian crisis.”
Sam snorted. “Exactly. So…” her eyes lit up with mischief, “did you get fired? Because if you did, I’m dragging your ass back to the Charon myself.”
“No,” Aev said, frowning just enough to sell the indignation. “I did not get fired. They love me on the Arawyn.” He paused, then added with a smirk, “Well… we’ll see about that. I’ve taken a short leave. There’s something personal I need to look into.”
Sam’s curiosity sharpened immediately, her brows knitting together. “Something personal?” She grinned. “You know I love a good story…”
Ignis groaned lightly. “Oh no. She smelled mystery. We’ll never escape.”
“…but I am starving,” Sam continued, undeterred. “I passed a Pho place on the way in and it looked amazing. Come on, let’s grab a bite, and you can tell me all about whatever trouble you’ve found yourself in this time.”
Ignis raised a hand. “For the record, if it turns out to be life-threatening, I’m ordering for myself.”
Aev let out a quiet breath that might have almost been a laugh. “Alright. Pho it is.”
The little pho restaurant was tucked between a Bajoran tea house and a Klingon weapons boutique, its warm lights spilling out into the promenade. A carved wooden sign, clearly replicated, but lovingly done read PHO 4 THE SOUL in swirling gold script.
As the doors slid open, a wall of rich, fragrant steam rolled over them with the smell of ginger, star anise, simmered broth, and fresh herbs. The noise of the promenade faded instantly, replaced by the gentle clatter of bowls and the low hum of conversation.
Sam stopped just inside and inhaled deeply, eyes closing in bliss. “Oh, hell yes. This is exactly what I needed.”
Ignis followed her with a wrinkle of his nose that was purely performative. “It smells… chaotic,” he declared. “Like someone boiled an herb garden and panicked halfway through.”
Aev gave him a sideways look. “You don’t even eat.”
Ignis gestured toward the kitchen with offense bordering on artful. “Precisely why I consider myself an expert.”
Sam laughed and nudged Aev’s shoulder as they stepped fully inside. Warm light reflected off the lacquered tables, and a server waved them toward an open booth near the window.
Aev glanced around the cozy space, letting the warmth and gentle haze of broth-filled air ease the tension in his shoulders, if only a fraction. The server slid a stack of menus onto the table, but Aev wasn’t hungry. He handed his back with a quiet, “Just water, please.”
Ignis, sitting upright with impeccable posture in his humanoid projection, looked personally offended. “Just water?” he echoed.
When Aev informed the server that Ignis didn't need anything either, the AI pressed a hand to his chest with theatrical injury.
“I can order for ambiance, you know. It’s part of my process.”
Sam snorted, finally settling on her choices while Ignis muttered something about “culinary prejudice.”
Once their orders were placed, Aev began recounting the events on Rhaevath, how she’d first noticed his unease back on the Charon, how the encounter with the Reman had stuck with him far more than he admitted. Then, quietly, he spoke of the dreams, vivid, recurring, persistent.
Sam listened without interrupting, her eyes steady and focused. Halfway through, her food arrived, fragrant steam curling through the air. Aev paused long enough for her to get a few bites in before he continued, about his request for leave, the Captain’s approval, and the runabout he’d arranged for the trip to Corvanis.
When he finished, Sam set her chopsticks across her nearly empty bowl and leaned back. “Well,” she said decisively, “that settles it. I’m coming with you.”
Aev blinked. “Sam, don’t you need to get back to the Charon? I mean, I don’t even know if anything’s there. This could end up being a spectacularly boring wild goose chase.”
“Probably,” she agreed cheerfully. “But it’s practically on my way.”
Ignis tilted his head. “This logic seems mathematically suspect.”
Sam pointed a chopstick at him. “Hush, you still owe me a rematch of 4D chess after you cheated.”
Ignis gasped. “I did not cheat. I merely… outmaneuvered you in dimensions you failed to consider.”
“Uh-huh,” Sam said, unbothered, then pulled out her datapad and tapped rapidly. “See? Corvanis is just over a day from where the Charon is currently patrolling.” She slid the screen toward Aev triumphantly. “So I’ll tag along, watch you poke around this whole lot of nothing, and then you drop me off at the Charon. I bet half the crew would lose their minds seeing you again.” She grinned. “And Captain Yang? He won’t care if I’m gone an extra day or two. You know how he is.”
Ignis leaned back with a self-satisfied smile. “She does have a point, Aev. Also, I vote she comes. Someone needs to keep you distracted from your brooding.”
Sam clicked her tongue. “Exactly. I’m essential personnel.”
Aev sighed, but smiled slightly. “Alright… fine. But you’re probably going to regret this.”
Ignis grinned. “Oh, we already do.”
= To be continued =
Lieutenant Aev Flammia
Chief of Security
USS Arawyn
&
Lieutenant Samantha Dawes (NPC)
Medical Officer & Surgeon
USS Charon
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