The Mobius Loop - Part Nine

Posted on Sun May 4th, 2025 @ 11:13am by Fleet Captain Torilla Yamaguchi

Mission: Mission 121: The Mobius Loop
Location: Various Locations - Starbase Six-Eighteen
Timeline: 1000Hrs - February 4th, 2394

Torilla regarded the two across from her. "I assume I shouldn't ask about what happens to me and everyone else. Between the here and now and the time you come from. I assume things got intresting?" she inquired.

Both John and Erica traded a look, as both knew that this question would come up. "We had wondered when you would ask," Erica answered in a soft tone of voice.

"Now that it has?" Torilla asked. "Will you deny me my curiosity?" she asked. "Considering you did ask if you could join me and sit with me for a time."

John slowly smiled. "What of it?." he inquired. "We're just three people enjoying a conversation," he added. "Yes. We will tell you but, you need to keep in mind that this is from a possible future. The future is always in motion. Our choices shape it and our paths will travel it."

"Something I once said to Gideon," Torilla commented. "Sounds like I will share many other nuggets of philosophy over time as well," she added.

"Indeed," John answered with a gentle smile. "Now, my past is written, and while you do live a long and happy life. It won't be easy at times," he commented. "You and your kin still face many hard challenges and trials ahead," he added. "But your final fate will be-" was as far as he got before Torilla interrupted him.

"Is it wise?..." Torilla inquired of the two people before her. "Telling me all of this. I mean.?" she added by way of explanation.

"Does it really matter?" Erica asked. "We are three people who are enjoying a pleasant conversation. Think of it like that," she explained. "It could always be worse. But in our case, forewarned is forearmed," he commented.

"Then you are aware of Gabriel and his present situation?" she inquired while she mentioned her son's name.

John nodded his head. "It doesn't take a master's in physiology to recognize depression. It doesn't take a Ph.D. in history to know what regret looks like." he slowly smiled while he explained himself. "Either way, this means my grandfather." John paused a moment. "You shouldn't worry about him. He will find his way in time... Besides, he has grandma as well. Grief divided is grief's power halved." John explained. "I think he once said, in Savannah I trust, all others pay cash." he slowly grinned. "A little mantra that all the other members of the family share."

Torilla nodded her head. "Savannah is still processing her loss."

"Yes," Erica answered. "She will be for some time yet. Questioning her choices. Her mistakes. She will wonder if she will turn out to be as a disaster of a parent as her mother was when Kimora Reeves was a young woman." she paused as she produced a PADD. "Do not read it here. Take this back with you. It's several letters, for Savannah. They may help her with her concerns." she explained. "If you do decide to read it, read it alone and away from questioning eyes," she added.

Torilla picked up the PADD before she slipped it into one of her pants pockets. She then zipped the pocket closed. "I'll see that she gets it," she added. "Thank you."

"No. Thank you." Erica answered. "I had always wanted to meet the legend in her prime. John knew that you and he would meet and if I went along. I'd get to meet you as well." she grinned at the other woman. "It seemed like too good a chance to pass up. Besides. A chance to meet you, I'd be stark raving mad to ignore that."

Torilla smiled. Erica's good mood was infectious. "Because I shared that tale with Gideon, and he passed that tale along to you," Torilla explained. A gentle smile on her face. "You may be assured that I will pass along this tale to Gideon and to Gabe." she smiled at the other two people before her. "Do you have a message you want me to pass along?"

John and Erica both traded a look for a moment. "Tell both that we send our love and our regards."

"John. Consider it arranged." Torilla responded with a cheerful smile on her face.

John smiled back at her, his combadge took that moment to interrupt. Torilla suddenly grinned as hers also beeped at her as well. "Grey Wolf to Yamaguchi?" Torilla recognized the voice of her Executive officer.

John got the same call from the USS Concordia. They said that they needed him and Erica back on the Concordia's bridge as the anomaly was starting to fade away and it looked like they would shortly be heading home.

John nodded. "we'll be back on the Concordia's bridge in twenty minutes. Yamaguchi out." he then let out a soft sigh of resignation.