Distinguish, Part III
Posted on Fri May 22nd, 2026 @ 2:09am by Commander Kytolos Sh'reyva
1,344 words; about a 7 minute read
Mission:
Lines in the Vacuum
Location: IGS Kryfaari
Timeline: 2168
The Kryfaari emerged from warp beneath a deluge of pale starlight that accentuated the old Andorian destroyer's scarred hull, showing every patch and crack in visual stereo. Age hadn't been kind to the vessel. Commissioned forty-six years ago, it was an old ship. Even from within, Kytolos could feel the slight irregularities in her structure: a rattle here, a tremor there--the overcompensation of maneuvering thrusters shaking every ventilation duct on the deck.
He knew ships carried memories much differently than their crew, and the Kryfaari wasn't just old, she was well into advanced age. Understandably, the Andorian Imperial Guard had relegated her to military transport work shortly after the Vulcan-Andorian War. And still, nearly a decade-and-a-half later, she was still spaceworthy. Barely.
Sentinel Station hung ahead against the darkness.
At first glance, it resembled a mechanical lantern suspended by invisible string, its outer hull illuminated in careful hoops of white and amber--a frequent construction choice by the Federation. Docking modules extended outward to reach the Kryfaari not unlike the long tendrils of the Andorian nightfrost spider.
Kytolos noted there was something unfinished about Sentinel Station even from this distance. Not that it was incomplete structurally, no--spiritually, perhaps. That station looked too new to possess certainty in its own existence. At least, not just yet. Fresh construction always appeared that way to him.
He stood near the rear of the bridge with one hand resting on the strap of his small shoulder bag which was slung across his chest. The younger bridge officers had tried, at first, not to stare at him. That effort had lasted perhaps two days into the trip from Qo'noS.
Now they watched him in quick, surreptitious glances whenever they thought he wasn't paying attention. They knew him by reputation. Commander Kytolos Sh'reyva. The distinguished Andorian commander who had made a name for himself during the Romulan War and then threw most of it away several years later at Yenaris by taking what the Imperial Guard termed, 'an unnecessary gamble that could very well have thrown the recently-created Federation into a new conflict with the Romulan Star Empire.'
And, of course, the man who had lost the Vorchal.
Respect and suspicion existed in too close proximity throughout the Guard for either feeling to remain pure for very long.
Commander Uvak sat forward slightly in the center seat as Sentinel Station grew larger in the viewscreen. He was young for command, though not disastrously so. His antennae still betrayed too much of his emotions and thoughts, and they were both intact--unlike Kytolos'. Three months earlier, someone at Fleet Operations had decided Uvak possessed the necessary skills and talent necessary for command.
Kytolos suspected the decision had been made largely because there was not enough experienced officers left to fill every chair anymore. Once again, a side effect of Andoria joining the Federation.
"Reduce to station approach velocity," Uvak ordered.
The helmsman acknowledged immediately.
Kytolos watched the station without word.
A pair of cargo tugs drifted slowly along the outer docking ring while workbees moved in long, careful arcs beneath the spacedock module, their lights blinking against the dark. Somewhere inside the main structure were hundreds of people living their lives. Eating, arguing, falling asleep. All while living out here on the outskirts of the Regulus system.
Uvak rose from the command chair.
"Commander Sh'reyva."
Kytolos turned.
The younger officer approached with visible formality, though it was free of stiffness. Uvak respected him sincerely. That much had become clear within the first day aboard the Kryfaari. The admiration from him was something Kytolos had found to be an annoyance in the latter years of his time commanding the Vorchal. That same admiration was so rare now that Kytolos felt ambivalence at almost missing it.
"We've received docking clearance from Sentinel," Uvak said. "Admiral Vedak's staff transmitted instructions an hour ago. They're expecting you immediately upon arrival."
Vedak. The name sounded Vulcan, and though Kytolos had softened his stance in recent years toward Vulcans, there remained a lasting bitterness at what occurred near Regulus--known to history as the Battle of Andoria.
Vulcans--in general--were a peaceful if arrogant people. However, the actions taken by the previous High Command had left Kytolos distrustful of the Vulcan leadership's motivations.
Now, with the advent of this United Federation, Kytolos was left to wonder at a Vulcan Starfleet Admiral's request to see him.
Uvak gestured toward the viewscreen.
"She's impressive," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Kytolos studied Sentinel Station again.
"Yes," he answered, unenthusiastically.
Uvak glanced toward him, uncertain whether that had been criticms or approval. Before he could decide, the lift doors behind them opened and Lieutenant Klemnar emerged onto the bridge.
Klemnar was older than Uvak by perhaps six or seven years. He wore caution naturally but something about his gait and appearance suggested he was brimming with ambition. His expression settled immediately into neutrality upon seeing Kytolos standing beside Uvak.
"Docking clamps secured," Klemnar reported. "Passenger corridor pressurized."
Uvak nodded. "Good. Escort Commander Sh'reyva to the airlock."
Klemnar acknowledged the order, though his eyes darted quickly toward Kytolos in a manner subtle enough that most wouldn't have noticed.
Kytolos, however, did.
Pity had a difference comportment than distrust. Younger officers often failed to understand that.
Uvak extended his hand in the traditional Guard fashion, forearm crossing slightly inward.
"It was an honour having your aboard, Commander."
Kytolos clasped the younger man's arm firmly.
"You handled the Kryfaari well," he said in answer.
The response struck Uvak harder than expected. Kytolos could see it right away in the stillness that seemed to overtake the young commander.
Praise from partially-disgraced officers still carried clout in the Imperial Guard. Sometimes more than one might believe.
"Safe travels, sir," Uvak replied.
Kytolos nodded once in Uvak's direction before turning toward the lift with Klemnar.
The journey from the bridge to the docking section passed through narrow corridors lined with exposed structural ribbing. Crewmembers stepped aside respectfully as Kytolos passed, though their conversations often resumed a second or two after he had moved on. He heard is own name at least once.
Klemnar walked beside him without speaking for several moments.
Finally, the younger officer said, "Sentinel Station may very well become the most strategic location in all of Federation space."
Kytolos glanced at him sideways.
"Is this the opinion of a Lieutenant in the Imperial Guard I'm hearing?"
Klemnar did not flinch. Instead, he scratched at his jaw as they continued.
"It's simply an accurate assessment... sir."
They continued another few meters before the younger officer spoke again.
"Some of us in the Guard see the Federation as comrades-in-arms," Klemnar ventured.
Kytolos' brow furrowed. "Lieutenant," he said, slowing his pace, "this Federation is still new and awkward. It may not survive its infancy. But Andoria will always endure."
If Klemnar disagreed, he hid it well. He simply grunted in agreement.
They approached the last section before the docking tunnel and Klemnar's coolness toward Sh'reyva couldn't be any more evident.
"Commander," he said, taking a firmer tone. "This is where I'll leave you. I wish you well in your assignment."
No salute followed and no traditional Guard gesture. Just the hollow words of one officer to another.
Kytolos looked at him a for a long moment--almost to the point of causing discomfort. Klemnar met the gaze steadily enough, though tension had begun to show in the set of his jaw.
"Young officers," Kytolos said quietly.
Klemnar simply turned away and retraced his steps back to the lift.
Kytolos shook his head once, wondering what this new generation of Andorians were being taught. When had they placed their loyalties to the Federation ahead of Andoria?
He paused for a moment to consider this new world he was learning to navigate. Then he stepped through the airlock.
Commander Kytolos Sh'reyva
Liaison Officer
Sentinel Station
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