Heartbreak

Posted on Tue Jun 9th, 2026 @ 10:41am by Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Captain Gary Taylor & Commander Sthilg & Captain David Tonelly [Reece]

Mission: Interlude
Location: USS Elysium, Main Sickbay, Cryo-stasis Ward
Timeline: MD 1 / 1710 hours
2050 words - 4.1 OF Standard Post Measure

While life seemed to be getting back to normal slowly for everyone else, one man was still trapped in the past.

Like clockwork, at 1710 on the dot, David Tonelly, Marine Captain...Academy Annex Commendant...long-lived El Aurian...was a man, a father, who was haunted. As he walked past the nurses, who had come to time the day to his arrival, he gave then a polite smile, Samanthanna in his arms and cooing happily to any who gave her attention. They weren't here for a checkup. No...they were here to visit the one who was not only Samanthanna's mother, but the other half of David's soul.

Baeryn.

A chair had already been set up next to her cryo-stasis tube before David even entered the Ward. Such was the regularity of his visits.

Sitting down, he placed his gand on the clear transperasteek of Baeryn's frozen tomb, the bio reading showing that she was in a state of deep hibernation.

She had been this way ever since their daughter was just three months old, when she had collapsed, in their cabin, due to an unknown pathogen. The medical staff had had no choice but to put her into emergency hibernation, as they had no knowledge of the cause, source or even how to treat the disease. They had yet to even identify it. What they did know, regrettably was....though the cryo-stasis slowed the progression of the disease, it did not stop it. It was still killing her, and, they were just about put of time to figure out a solution.

Sthilg felt awful as he stared through the window of the cryo lab. Far too many of his family and friends had died on this voyage, and now he was going to have to give the bad news to another friend. Sighing, the old lizard stepped through the door. " Hello, David." He said in the best grandfatherly tone he could manage

Hearing the old doctor's warm voice, David turned his head to Sthilg and smiled softly. "Hey, Doc." He swallowed the lump in his throat as he turned his eyes back to the face of his love.

" Hey." Sthilg said softly as he stepped into the cryo chamber. " David i'm sssorry the latessst round of tessstsss have come back negative. "

David didn't take his eyes off of Baeryn's frozen face. After a few beats of silence, he finally replied, his normally strong, steady voice threatening to shatter. "How...how long do you...think she has left?"

" In a few days time her brain will begin sssuffering major cell damage causssed by the freezing processsss. From their it will only get worssse." the gorn replied softly. " i'm sssorry my friend. if i had more time...." he began before trailing off.

David stood and moved over to where Sthilg was standing. Reaching up, he placed his left hand on Sthilg's right shoulder. In his right arm, Samanthanna sat, quietly looking up at the large Gorn officer, a gentle smile on her chubby little face. "I know you've done everything you can, Sthilg, and I can't thank you enough.youve given me time to slowly sever my link to Baeryn. Had it occurred rapidly, all at once, I would have been comatose for who knows how long, and our daughter would have lost both of her parents before she even knew them." He gave his friend a soft, sad smile. "Thank you. Thank you for keeping her alive this long."

Sthilg opened his mouth to say something but closed it. No ideas that went through his head would amount to anything. He could put her into a deeper freeze, but the brain damage would be nearly irreversible. " I'll give you sssome alone time. Would you like me to hold Sssamanthanna?"

Looking down at his beautiful daughter, David smiled softly as she smiled back up at him. He then nodded as he replied. "Thank you, I'd appreciate that."

As he handed her over, the tiny infant reached out a chubby little hand to Sthilg, giggling happily.

Sthilg gently took the hand as he made sure Samanthanna was secure in his arms before he headed for the door. " I'll be outssside." He said before stepping through.

David nodded, thankful for the support of his friend. He knew that the coming weeks would be hardest on Samanthanna. Though he had had time to meditate and start to let go of Baeryn, she did not know what was happening, so when the link to her mother was finseveted, she would feel it immediately. She would be in emotional and spiritual pain for at least the next several weeks, while her system learned how to operate without the connect to her mother.

Stepping back over to the cryo tube, he placed his right hand on the transparasteel panel over Baeryn's face. "My love, my partner, the other half of my soul. Today you leave me. Where you go, I cannot follow. Though our paths had merged for a time, and we created a new life, today, our paths with part. May the Goddesses watch over you and welcome you into the Great Hall of Feasting. I can only pray that, one day, I am deemed worthy enough of finding you again. "

He took a breath and started to quietly recite an ancient El Aurian funeral prayer.

When he finished, he took a moment of silence. Then, after leaning forward and kissing the viewport on the tube, he reached over and pressed the control, deactivating the life support system that was doing its best to prolong Baeryn's life.

Outside, almost instantly, Samanthanna started to squirm and cry in Sthilg's arms. Tears started to stream down her chubby cheeks as she grew more and more upset.

Sthilg gently held the little girl close to him, humming on one of the gorn funeral tunes to her. " It'sss okay little one. You'll sssee her again." he said softly.

Samanthanna continued to cry, but grew quieter, as if the Gorn's gentleness was soothing her somewhat.

Several moments later, the doors slid apart and David stepped out of the cryo ward. He looked as if he had been gutted. Stepping over towards Sthlig, he suddenly faltered and dropped to his knees, as if his whole world had just exploded around him

Sthilg felt his heart break as he saw the man. A pain he knew all too well. " It'sss alright, my friend. Let it out." He said resurigly as he bent down to be next to his friend, putting his arm around the man's shoulder.

David seemed to be a quadrant away from sickbay at that moment. Finally, Samanthanna broke him from his trance when she reached out to him and touched his face. David took his daughter from Sthilg's gentle grip and closed his eyes as he held her close in a loving, protective manner. "Thank you, Sthilg. You have been more than a friend during these past months. I can never repay your kindness and support. He looked the reptilianoid in the eyes and nodded grimly. "You should contact the Commodore and First Officer. They should know what has happened." He then closed his eyes again and placed his face against the top of his daughter's tiny head.

" I will, and you are to contact Alicia to ssset up sssome counciling sssesionsss. Remember your freindsss are here for you. " The gorn added.

David nodded in silent agreement as he held his infant daughter close to his chest, trying to soothe her crying.

A few moments later, once Samanthanna had calmed, David opened his eyes and looked over at Sthilg. "Thank you. You are more than a good friend, Sthilg, you are family. I can't imagine how we could have gotten through this all, without your constant support." He slowly stood, then offered the other man his right hand. "I dont know how much you know about my people, Sthilg, but..you should know, when we give our word, it is an oath that never expires. Even our children uphold the oath once it is given." He paused to take a breath, then continued, "From this day forward, I give you my oath of family protection. At anytime you, or your family needs help, call me and I will be there."

Sthilg simply smiled. " Thank you, my friend. Let's get you to a ssseat."

Gary had received word from Sthilg about Baeryn as well her prognosis. He was also informed of David being there. he set aside the PaDDs and headed for Sickbay. Arriving a few moments he stepped inside and quickly spotted Sthilg and David. Walking over to David, he spoke softly. "David, I am so sorry about Baeryn. If there is anything I can do for you please don't hesitate to ask."

Looking over at Gary as he approaved, David repositioned Samanthanna in his arms, gently cradling her tiny head as she started to slowly drift off to sleep.

In a quiet voice, so as not to disturb her, replied, "Thank you, Sir. I do appreciate the support. I know you feel the same as I do. This is a club that neither of us ever wanted to be in." He offered his free hand to Gary as he spoke.

"You are absolutely right David and I wish I could spare you the pain you are in. However, my offer stands. Anything you need or just want to talk, I'm here for you." Gary replied, lowering his voice to match David's and not disturb his daughter.

David nodded again, giving Gary's hand another gentle squeeze, before releasing it.

Phoenix walked in, she was carrying a small box. She stepped up to David's side and handed him the box. "For you and your daughter." She said softly. She was very good at keeping her emotions at bay.

Taking hold of the small, ornate wooden box, David gave Phoenix an appreciative look. He then asked her, "Would you mind, holding her, Ma'am?"

Phee scooped up the child in her arms, then stood confidently with the little girl in her arms.

David carefully opened the box, his face reacting to the contents. Inside was the Starfleet Purple Heart Medal, along with a small identification plaque with Baeryn's name, rank and the stardate of her death.

Closing his eyes tightly in pain, tears slowly rolled down his cheeks, as David closed the box and held it close to his heart. He said a silent El Aurian prayer of goodbye for the other half of his soul, along with a promise that he would find her again, where she may be reborn.

After a few moments, he opened his eyes again and looked at Phoenix. "Thank you. Ma'am. I know that Baeryn was honored to serve under your command."

"It was our honour Captain. And she will be missed," Phoenix was gently bouncing David's daughter.

David nodded slightly as he closed his eyes, trying to hold the pain in, for now.

After a few beats, he reopened his eyes and said, "I know we are short-handed right now. I'll resume my duties, Ma'am. Later, when there is more time, I'll take time to grieve."

"No You take the time you need. There are others who can take the weight." Phoenix said firmly.

"Don't deny yourself the opportunity to grieve David. You need this." Gary added quietly.

A bit of the strength left David's strong features at their caring words. "Very well..." he said finally. He reached out and gently took his daughter back from Phoenix's gentle embrace. Lowering his face to the top of her head, he took in a deep breath, as if drawing strength from her innocence.

Looking back up, he spoke again to the group. "Baeryn would've wanted a simple funeral. I'll have the details sent to you three. I know she respected all three of you greatly." He thanked each of them for their concern, then, giving the door leading to the cryostorage one last look, David turned and carried Samanthanna out of Sickbay, back to their quarters. He had a lot of things to get set for the coming days and weeks. Now that he was alone, he would need to stay focused.

Phoenix watched him leave and then said to the others. "I want him taken care of."

OFF