USS California - Earthbound
Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2025 2:19 am
USS California - Earth Bound 1
Donita Shira Vitaniemi, looked at her computer screen as though she wanted to bore through it with her eyes.
She’d been avoiding this. Her family never wanted her to join Starfleet. It caused problems. Her mother, Valini Vitaniemi cried, and raged and used every manipulation tactic possible, even inventing new ones to force her daughter to come home.
That just made Donita look for postings further from Earth.
Now, they were in a new timeline. This Valini Vitaniemi was not the same one.
Donita enjoyed the quiet. No passive-aggressive updates from home. No videos with her mother quivering her lower lip.
She also felt guilty. As if by not announcing herself to her mother's analog here, she was letting her mother down in a whole other dimension.
She pressed record and started to speak.
-*-
Several hours later, Donita looked at a carefully worded script next to her screen. She pressed record. “Greetings. I am Doctor Donita Shira Vitaniemi…”
-*-
Sometime later
Baris station hung in the windows of the USS California lounge. It was a sprawling space city. A trade hub between the Klingon Empire and the Federation. Military and civilian ships from all the local powers came and went.
They were having a layover and refuel. Some people stood in the windows and watched the traffic move. It could be sort of hypnotic. Especially if the ships were something you had a particular interest in. Donita did not.
Behind Baris Station, Sherman’s planet loomed. It was a pretty world. Donita was reading about it’s native environment. It was a total mix of Earthlike and Bot’chok-like. Plants and animals mixed and competed, creating a unique environment.
Two days from now, there would be a race. A foot race. A cross-country race. Donita didn’t think she’d win the race. But she was determined to finish it this time.
A notification came to her tablet. A new message. From Earth. The sending address evoked an old feeling of dread.
Donita headed for her office for some privacy.
-*-
Her mother looked precisely the same.
Next to her someone between a girl and woman. A girl in some matters of dress, and attitude. A woman in age.
“I don’t know who you are or who you think you’re fooling,” Valini said angrily, “My daughter, Donita, is right here.”
“I must insist you stop using my daughter’s name and face, you scam artist. You criminal! I have contacted the authorities. I have contacted Starfleet Command. Whatever trick you’re trying to pull will not work. We are Important People here, and we can bring much influence to bear!”
Donita saw that this dimension’s Valini was scared. And not terribly bright.
This dimension’s Donita looked like a hostage. She just sat quietly with fear in her eyes. She obeyed. She did what her mother wanted her to do. Donita wondered what her sibling was like at work. She was listed as Dr. Vitaniemi, a pediatric doctor in a moderately sized hospital in New Dehli.
“You are not my daughter, you not our sister. You are not part of our family. You are a scammer, and I spotted you a hundred kilometers away.” Valini said, “Whatever you have in mind, I deny it. Take off your disguise and go scam someone else!”
The message ended.
Donita looked at her tablet for a long time. Be careful what you wish for.
-*-
Sian returned from the Gym. He was working on honing his fighting edge, strength, endurance, and reflexes. Always a little better, always closer to… What?
Sian again ran into the fact that his goal was to be able to beat up anyone, and everyone at any time. This was plainly silly, so he discarded it.
A quick sonic shower and into uniform. The work of an Executive Officer was never done. His job was to manage the details of the ship, so he could present to Captain Anderson her ship and crew ready for whatever she wanted to do.
Sian had a good Operations crew who stayed on top of each area of responsibility. But he still had to double-check and review enough so he knew what he was talking about.
Then, he had to prepare to be backup captain. Aat any moment, command could fall to him, and he had to be ready.
Sian was not aware of the term “workaholic” and would be irritated to have it applied to him.
He was working the duty roster for the day after tomorrow, when he’d take part in the cross country race. He had to have enough people in place to recover the ship quickly and get into action if an energency arose. He also had to leave enough slack for people who wanted to run the race.
A message pinged at him. He picked up a tablet he wasn’t using and opened the message.
His Mom and Dad looked at him from their living room. It was a different house, but Sian recognized some pieces of decoration and furniture. Stuff that had sentimental meaning for his parents.
In between them was… another Sian. Thinner. Lighter looking.
“We wanted to return your message,” Sian’s dad, Zorba, said “We welcome you to our timeline. Your suggestion that we treat you like a lost cousin has merit, but this situation is different. We’re happy to hear from you. We’re as happy as can be that you’re here. But that joy is tempered by the knowledge that somewhere, your Mom and Dad are suffering an unspeakable loss. We have a room for you here. When you’re in the area, or if you get a long leave, come on home. We look forward to hearing from you and about your adventures as you go along.”
Sian noticed his mom smiling her “I’ve got a joke” smile.
The thinner, lighter-looking Sian said “I’m a power systems engineer in Dorlatta city, here. It’s like a giant Impuse power system, but different.”
Unable to restrain herself, Sian's mom put on a little festive hat. It looked very old and worn, the way an old keepsake stored away for decades might look. It was a maternity hat. Bolian mothers wear them when they have a new child to celebrate the birth and mark their new status.
Sian recognized it as the one his mother wore when he was born.
“I have a new boy!” She said.
Sian grinned. So did the one on the screen. Zorba looked at the table and tried to control a chuckle.
“It's a lot easier than last time,” Sians mother, Siobahn, said. “Temporal anomaly babies might become a hit!”
Sian smiled at his new family as they made their welcomes and goodbyes.
There was a second message. Sian opened it. It was his new brother. “Hey, Listen. I really enjoyed my time in Starfleet, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. But I was not really…” Sian searched for the right word “I wasn’t in balance during my time in Starfleet. My priorities weren’t where I needed them to be.”
Sian wondered where his brother was going, and how it was relevant.
“I want to encourage you to speak to your ship’s counselor. Make sure your … that your mind is heading the right way. I was conflicted internally, and it robbed me of some of the joy and fulfillment I should have had. I don’t know how parallel our experiences are. But you know, a check-up from the neck up couldn’t hurt. I’m rooting for you, brother.”
The message ended. Sian sat and considered. The other Sian looked… happier. Lighter.
Sian resolved to schedule an appointment later.
But for now, there was work to do and a race to win.
-*-
The race started in David’s Town, and the course followed the highway, a country road and then a hiking trail, to another road and then to Pevneyville. It was not quite half a marathon. The main challenge of it was changes in elevation.
Besides a contingent from the USS California crew, there were people from several different ships and locals. They milled around, socialized and reviewed the course. It was well-marked.
Then the crowd chanted along with the start clock until it reached zero and off they went.
-*-
Sian ran grimly, pushing himself to keep a pace that just a little uncomfortable.
Before long, he was in his groove, running well. There were a few people ahead of him. Human runners. Most humans were decidely average in their physical abilities. Running was something the human body excelled at. They didn’t have to work as hard to get good at it and when they worked at it, they could out run most humanoids over a long distance.
Sian had worked very hard, and kept up a good pace. But he was still looking at the back of a few humans who took running very seriously.
Sian kept up. He knew he’d have to find a sprint somewhere inside at the end. He kept going.
-*-
Donita ran at an easy going pace with her new friend Sally. Sally Sherman was a descendant of the original settlers on the planet. She explained that she’d married into the Sherman name.
Farming was a lifestyle choice. People on Baris Station and Gerroldopolis, the Capital of Sherman’s planet enjoyed the freshly grown food farms could provide. But it was a luxury item. Everyone had replicators.
So, the farms and ranches were small, kept by people who enjoyed the lifestyle enough to commit to it.
Sally pointed out plants to Donita.
“We won’t be seeing any wild animals today,” Sally explained “Seeing a bunch of people all running in one direction scares the hell out of them, They think it's a human stampede or natural disaster. The wild ones make themselves scarce.”
But Sally did introduce Donita to several dogs that lived on the various farms as they ran past. Sally knew the names of the dogs and the people who came out of their houses to say hello. The Dogs all thought a mass of people running was the most fun in the world, and barked like mad at it. A handful of dogs joined the race, having a great time.
A number of horses and cows also had strong opinions about people running by, both good and ill.
Donita pet the ones who seemed amenable to the idea.
-*-
In sick bay that evening, Donita scanned Sians knees. He’d damaged them, running the race. A small dose of healing nanites would repair it. She didn’t have to do anything invasive.
“You need to take the next two days and stay off your knees,” Donita said “After that, they’ll be as good as new.”
Sian smiled “Thanks, Doc.”
“I’m putting in the orders. You’re off duty for 48 hours.”
Sian’s smiled fell off “Donita, I’m fine. I can do light duty.”
She looked at him “Why?”
Sian said, “Why what?”
“Why did you run so hard? We’re here to be tourists.”
“What’s the point of joining a race if you’re not going to try and win it?”
“Well, I got to meet eight dogs, three horses, and a cow, as well as numerous people.”
Sian face betrayed confusion.
“You’re off duty. Come back in two days, and I’ll recertify you.”
“Doc!”
-*-
Donita Shira Vitaniemi, looked at her computer screen as though she wanted to bore through it with her eyes.
She’d been avoiding this. Her family never wanted her to join Starfleet. It caused problems. Her mother, Valini Vitaniemi cried, and raged and used every manipulation tactic possible, even inventing new ones to force her daughter to come home.
That just made Donita look for postings further from Earth.
Now, they were in a new timeline. This Valini Vitaniemi was not the same one.
Donita enjoyed the quiet. No passive-aggressive updates from home. No videos with her mother quivering her lower lip.
She also felt guilty. As if by not announcing herself to her mother's analog here, she was letting her mother down in a whole other dimension.
She pressed record and started to speak.
-*-
Several hours later, Donita looked at a carefully worded script next to her screen. She pressed record. “Greetings. I am Doctor Donita Shira Vitaniemi…”
-*-
Sometime later
Baris station hung in the windows of the USS California lounge. It was a sprawling space city. A trade hub between the Klingon Empire and the Federation. Military and civilian ships from all the local powers came and went.
They were having a layover and refuel. Some people stood in the windows and watched the traffic move. It could be sort of hypnotic. Especially if the ships were something you had a particular interest in. Donita did not.
Behind Baris Station, Sherman’s planet loomed. It was a pretty world. Donita was reading about it’s native environment. It was a total mix of Earthlike and Bot’chok-like. Plants and animals mixed and competed, creating a unique environment.
Two days from now, there would be a race. A foot race. A cross-country race. Donita didn’t think she’d win the race. But she was determined to finish it this time.
A notification came to her tablet. A new message. From Earth. The sending address evoked an old feeling of dread.
Donita headed for her office for some privacy.
-*-
Her mother looked precisely the same.
Next to her someone between a girl and woman. A girl in some matters of dress, and attitude. A woman in age.
“I don’t know who you are or who you think you’re fooling,” Valini said angrily, “My daughter, Donita, is right here.”
“I must insist you stop using my daughter’s name and face, you scam artist. You criminal! I have contacted the authorities. I have contacted Starfleet Command. Whatever trick you’re trying to pull will not work. We are Important People here, and we can bring much influence to bear!”
Donita saw that this dimension’s Valini was scared. And not terribly bright.
This dimension’s Donita looked like a hostage. She just sat quietly with fear in her eyes. She obeyed. She did what her mother wanted her to do. Donita wondered what her sibling was like at work. She was listed as Dr. Vitaniemi, a pediatric doctor in a moderately sized hospital in New Dehli.
“You are not my daughter, you not our sister. You are not part of our family. You are a scammer, and I spotted you a hundred kilometers away.” Valini said, “Whatever you have in mind, I deny it. Take off your disguise and go scam someone else!”
The message ended.
Donita looked at her tablet for a long time. Be careful what you wish for.
-*-
Sian returned from the Gym. He was working on honing his fighting edge, strength, endurance, and reflexes. Always a little better, always closer to… What?
Sian again ran into the fact that his goal was to be able to beat up anyone, and everyone at any time. This was plainly silly, so he discarded it.
A quick sonic shower and into uniform. The work of an Executive Officer was never done. His job was to manage the details of the ship, so he could present to Captain Anderson her ship and crew ready for whatever she wanted to do.
Sian had a good Operations crew who stayed on top of each area of responsibility. But he still had to double-check and review enough so he knew what he was talking about.
Then, he had to prepare to be backup captain. Aat any moment, command could fall to him, and he had to be ready.
Sian was not aware of the term “workaholic” and would be irritated to have it applied to him.
He was working the duty roster for the day after tomorrow, when he’d take part in the cross country race. He had to have enough people in place to recover the ship quickly and get into action if an energency arose. He also had to leave enough slack for people who wanted to run the race.
A message pinged at him. He picked up a tablet he wasn’t using and opened the message.
His Mom and Dad looked at him from their living room. It was a different house, but Sian recognized some pieces of decoration and furniture. Stuff that had sentimental meaning for his parents.
In between them was… another Sian. Thinner. Lighter looking.
“We wanted to return your message,” Sian’s dad, Zorba, said “We welcome you to our timeline. Your suggestion that we treat you like a lost cousin has merit, but this situation is different. We’re happy to hear from you. We’re as happy as can be that you’re here. But that joy is tempered by the knowledge that somewhere, your Mom and Dad are suffering an unspeakable loss. We have a room for you here. When you’re in the area, or if you get a long leave, come on home. We look forward to hearing from you and about your adventures as you go along.”
Sian noticed his mom smiling her “I’ve got a joke” smile.
The thinner, lighter-looking Sian said “I’m a power systems engineer in Dorlatta city, here. It’s like a giant Impuse power system, but different.”
Unable to restrain herself, Sian's mom put on a little festive hat. It looked very old and worn, the way an old keepsake stored away for decades might look. It was a maternity hat. Bolian mothers wear them when they have a new child to celebrate the birth and mark their new status.
Sian recognized it as the one his mother wore when he was born.
“I have a new boy!” She said.
Sian grinned. So did the one on the screen. Zorba looked at the table and tried to control a chuckle.
“It's a lot easier than last time,” Sians mother, Siobahn, said. “Temporal anomaly babies might become a hit!”
Sian smiled at his new family as they made their welcomes and goodbyes.
There was a second message. Sian opened it. It was his new brother. “Hey, Listen. I really enjoyed my time in Starfleet, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. But I was not really…” Sian searched for the right word “I wasn’t in balance during my time in Starfleet. My priorities weren’t where I needed them to be.”
Sian wondered where his brother was going, and how it was relevant.
“I want to encourage you to speak to your ship’s counselor. Make sure your … that your mind is heading the right way. I was conflicted internally, and it robbed me of some of the joy and fulfillment I should have had. I don’t know how parallel our experiences are. But you know, a check-up from the neck up couldn’t hurt. I’m rooting for you, brother.”
The message ended. Sian sat and considered. The other Sian looked… happier. Lighter.
Sian resolved to schedule an appointment later.
But for now, there was work to do and a race to win.
-*-
The race started in David’s Town, and the course followed the highway, a country road and then a hiking trail, to another road and then to Pevneyville. It was not quite half a marathon. The main challenge of it was changes in elevation.
Besides a contingent from the USS California crew, there were people from several different ships and locals. They milled around, socialized and reviewed the course. It was well-marked.
Then the crowd chanted along with the start clock until it reached zero and off they went.
-*-
Sian ran grimly, pushing himself to keep a pace that just a little uncomfortable.
Before long, he was in his groove, running well. There were a few people ahead of him. Human runners. Most humans were decidely average in their physical abilities. Running was something the human body excelled at. They didn’t have to work as hard to get good at it and when they worked at it, they could out run most humanoids over a long distance.
Sian had worked very hard, and kept up a good pace. But he was still looking at the back of a few humans who took running very seriously.
Sian kept up. He knew he’d have to find a sprint somewhere inside at the end. He kept going.
-*-
Donita ran at an easy going pace with her new friend Sally. Sally Sherman was a descendant of the original settlers on the planet. She explained that she’d married into the Sherman name.
Farming was a lifestyle choice. People on Baris Station and Gerroldopolis, the Capital of Sherman’s planet enjoyed the freshly grown food farms could provide. But it was a luxury item. Everyone had replicators.
So, the farms and ranches were small, kept by people who enjoyed the lifestyle enough to commit to it.
Sally pointed out plants to Donita.
“We won’t be seeing any wild animals today,” Sally explained “Seeing a bunch of people all running in one direction scares the hell out of them, They think it's a human stampede or natural disaster. The wild ones make themselves scarce.”
But Sally did introduce Donita to several dogs that lived on the various farms as they ran past. Sally knew the names of the dogs and the people who came out of their houses to say hello. The Dogs all thought a mass of people running was the most fun in the world, and barked like mad at it. A handful of dogs joined the race, having a great time.
A number of horses and cows also had strong opinions about people running by, both good and ill.
Donita pet the ones who seemed amenable to the idea.
-*-
In sick bay that evening, Donita scanned Sians knees. He’d damaged them, running the race. A small dose of healing nanites would repair it. She didn’t have to do anything invasive.
“You need to take the next two days and stay off your knees,” Donita said “After that, they’ll be as good as new.”
Sian smiled “Thanks, Doc.”
“I’m putting in the orders. You’re off duty for 48 hours.”
Sian’s smiled fell off “Donita, I’m fine. I can do light duty.”
She looked at him “Why?”
Sian said, “Why what?”
“Why did you run so hard? We’re here to be tourists.”
“What’s the point of joining a race if you’re not going to try and win it?”
“Well, I got to meet eight dogs, three horses, and a cow, as well as numerous people.”
Sian face betrayed confusion.
“You’re off duty. Come back in two days, and I’ll recertify you.”
“Doc!”
-*-